The bad blood between the UFC and former light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz is well known. From their contract dispute back in the mid-2000s to Ortiz claiming that he was retiring, but then went and signed with the UFC’s rival, Bellator MMA.
Fresh off the heels of news getting out of Jacob “Stitch” Duran being released from the promotion following is tame comments about Reebok and his vest, Ortiz has opened up old wounds and made some stern comments about his former employer.
“It’s just a matter of time,” Ortiz told MMA Fighting.com. “Rome crumbles from inside and that’s what they’re going to do. They’re going to crumble from inside. They’re their worst enemies. I could just sit back and nobody is gonna talk trash about Dana, talk trash about the UFC. I’ll let them do their own damage.”
Duran has done several media appearances but has moved on and have already confirmed upcoming work dates to be a cutman for fighters. Ortiz said what many fighters would like to say about the UFC in this interview.
“It’s sad for ‘Stitch’ Duran,” said Ortiz. “He’s a guy that’s been in this business since Day One and he’s done a lot of great things, not only in mixed martial arts but in professional boxing. He should be respected. It just shows, you say something against the company that’s trying to monopolize everything, you get thrown to the wolves — as I did, as many other fighters did. And that’s why they left.”
While some people like all of the events that the UFC holds every year and increasing each year, Ortiz feels that they’re watering down their product.
“I really think UFC has made it bored for MMA,” Ortiz said. “You just see the same stuff. It’s cookie cutter. The same stuff over and over. Now that Reebok has been a part of their sponsorship, it’s cookie cutter. Bellator has taken a step forward in giving the fans what they want to see and that’s exciting fights, not only in mixed martial arts and now kickboxing.”
“They want to see the spectacle,” Ortiz said of fans. “I remember from the very beginning when I walked out at UFC 140 when we had the big lights, the flames, everything. Fans want to see entertainment. That’s why they tune into professional wrestling. You get the reality with professional fighting. That’s what Scott Coker is bringing with Bellator.”
While not find success late in his UFC career, he has since he switched over to Bellator MMA. Ortiz is undefeated and is set to fight for the light heavyweight title in September at Bellator 141.
