Tito Ortiz is "not a stepping stone to anyone," plans to test the will of "disrespectful" Ryan Bader
Posted on June 28, 2011, 07:18 PM by Joey Santosus
"Bader made a mistake saying I am a stepping stone back to Jon Jones. I understand why he said it. When I was 28 I felt indestructible too and I was saying a lot of things about what I was going to do too. But I’m not a stepping stone to anyone. No one has ever had an easy fight against me and he made a mistake in saying that I am a stepping stone. Maybe it was a figure of speech, but even if it was it was a little disrespectful to a former world champion."
"Bader is coming off the first loss of his career. He now knows what it is like to have his takedowns stopped. That tested his will and, on that one night against Jones, he showed me that he panics when he can’t bully people around with his wrestling. He won’t be able to bully me on Saturday and his will is going to be tested again - For more from Tito Ortiz, check out his three-part blog via ESPN.com
Tito Ortiz is clearly not pleased with what he perceives to be a lack of respect by his UFC 132 opponent, Ryan Bader. In his most recent outing, the former Light Heavyweight Champion came up short against Matt Hamill at UFC 121 in October, marking his third consecutive loss. Though Ortiz has since admitted that he was forced to beg for his job following the defeat, he will in fact get another shot when he meets the once beaten Arizona State University wrestling champ on Saturday.
UFC 132 is set for Saturday, July 2nd, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The stacked card will be headlined by a Bantamweight title clash between long time rivals Dominick Cruz and challenger Urijah Faber, while heavy-handed Middleweights Wanderlei Silva and Chris Leben will slug it out in the co-main event.
Photo: Tito Ortiz before his fight with Rashad Evans during UFC 73 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA on July 7, 2007. Francis Specker
Comments
I remember Chuck having no trouble destroying him, but hes right for the most part he always gives everyone a good fight.
I do not like Tito, but I got a feeling he is going to take a decision.
i like jenna and i have a feeling tito is gonna take a decision too
Apparently you guys have not been watching MMA for the past 5 years.
Here's an update: Since 2006, Tito has not won a fight, while Bader has won 12, including 5 in the UFC with his only loss to the current champion.
Bader has much better striking than Ortiz, hits harder, has better wrestling, and doesn't complain about injuries after every fight in the Octagon.
If Tito wins this fight I will go streaking.
Tito wins by KO via the illegal head but!
I just dont see tito winning this.
Tito has actually become the stepping stone for many fighters. Thanks, Tito. As long as you stay unretired I'm sure fighters will continue to step on you, over you, and above you.
maybe is Tito taking Bader lightly
If only this guy still had the fight to match his mouth.
Bader via G & P in the 2nd.
We can not forget that Tito is a good fighter.He 's got a shitty personality but always leaves it all out in the cage.I think this will be an interesting fight,and think Tito will come out on top Ground an pound first round.
Kida
I think Bader has a slight edge over Tito when it comes to the wrestling, even though Jones stuffed his takedown attempts quite easily, but Tito is no Jon Jones. I think this fight will come down to who can get the takedowns whilst also stuffing their opponents takedown attempts and imo i think Bader will come out of this one with the 'W'.......We've already seen the best of Ortiz but Bader has a bit more to come i think.......
It s going to be a close fight
It kills me how people luv to hate on Tito. They say because he's a douche and talks alot of trash. Name one fighter who doesn't TALK TRASH. Heck, all u have to do is watch the countdown shows. This man has been an ambassador for the UFC for years, and he may have been unsuccessful lately, but he's leaves it all on the line. RESPECT THIS MAN!
Tito is right. He is not a stepping stone. It has been so long since he won a fight that he no longer has any relevance whatsoever in the LHW division. A win over him is completely meaningless in the actual title picture. although it may mean something to his opponents to defeat a former long-standing champion.
The only reason Tito is still with the UFC is because people love to see him get his ass kicked and that makes him a huge draw. Any other fighter with a similar lack of success would have been cut long ago. Even Chuck Liddell, while he ended his career with 4 consecutive losses, never came close to sniffing Tito's 5 years without a win. And people actually liked Liddell.
Tito's not even a gate keeper anymore.