Ortiz Aims for Nov. 21 Return Against Coleman
Loretta Hunt Aug 12, 2009
Tito
Ortiz wants to come home for the holidays.
“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” anticipates a Nov. 21 return to the Octagon, where the polarizing fighter became a light heavyweight champion and a must-see superstar.
UFC President Dana White has already announced that Ortiz will face
perennial favorite Mark Coleman,
who delivered a rejuvenating performance against a much younger
Stephan
Bonnar at UFC 100. UFC 106 will be held on Nov. 21 at the
Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
“Mark knows it’s coming. I know it’s coming, so it’s just the factor of me letting (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva know that I’m ready to compete,” Ortiz told host Bruce Buffer on the Sherdog Radio Network’s “It’s Time” show Tuesday. “I have about a week-and-a-half to two weeks before I can start wrestling, and once I start wrestling at 100 percent –- right now I’m just drilling –- but once I’m at 100 percent, I’ll let them know. Hopefully, November 21 will be the date.”
Ortiz (15-6-1) said he’d struggled with the injury since his loss to Randy Couture at UFC 44 in September 2003, and called the surgery a resounding success.
“I’ve been boxing. I just started jiu-jitsu. Wrestling will start next week,” said Ortiz. I’m just ready to get back with a bang.”
During his lay-off, Ortiz was courted by rival promotions Strikeforce and Affliction, though insiders predicted the 34-year-old wouldn’t drift far from his UFC roots.
For a while, the only factor that seemed to prevent Ortiz’ Octagon return was his volatile relationship with the promotion’s president White. That ill will has apparently been put to rest.
“It’s been a compete 360,” said Ortiz of his one-time nemesis White. “Dana’s an awesome guy and I’ve been waiting for this type of thing to come out and it looks like he’s changed. He’s done a lot of things to get his name back to where it needs to be.”
A new father of twins with former adult film star Jenna Jameson, Ortiz also promises a renewed fighter in his self-proclaimed comeback.
“It’s not about money anymore,” said Ortiz. “Everything’s fine. My career is fine until I retire. It’s all about me getting my world title back. The fans will see a big difference in me.”
“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” anticipates a Nov. 21 return to the Octagon, where the polarizing fighter became a light heavyweight champion and a must-see superstar.
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“Mark knows it’s coming. I know it’s coming, so it’s just the factor of me letting (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva know that I’m ready to compete,” Ortiz told host Bruce Buffer on the Sherdog Radio Network’s “It’s Time” show Tuesday. “I have about a week-and-a-half to two weeks before I can start wrestling, and once I start wrestling at 100 percent –- right now I’m just drilling –- but once I’m at 100 percent, I’ll let them know. Hopefully, November 21 will be the date.”
Ortiz, who re-signed with the UFC a few weeks ago, underwent
extensive back fusion surgery in October 2008 following his loss to
Lyoto
Machida at UFC 84 that May.
Ortiz (15-6-1) said he’d struggled with the injury since his loss to Randy Couture at UFC 44 in September 2003, and called the surgery a resounding success.
“I’ve been boxing. I just started jiu-jitsu. Wrestling will start next week,” said Ortiz. I’m just ready to get back with a bang.”
During his lay-off, Ortiz was courted by rival promotions Strikeforce and Affliction, though insiders predicted the 34-year-old wouldn’t drift far from his UFC roots.
For a while, the only factor that seemed to prevent Ortiz’ Octagon return was his volatile relationship with the promotion’s president White. That ill will has apparently been put to rest.
“It’s been a compete 360,” said Ortiz of his one-time nemesis White. “Dana’s an awesome guy and I’ve been waiting for this type of thing to come out and it looks like he’s changed. He’s done a lot of things to get his name back to where it needs to be.”
A new father of twins with former adult film star Jenna Jameson, Ortiz also promises a renewed fighter in his self-proclaimed comeback.
“It’s not about money anymore,” said Ortiz. “Everything’s fine. My career is fine until I retire. It’s all about me getting my world title back. The fans will see a big difference in me.”
