Ortiz Discusses Injury, TUF Exit
The drama surrounding Tito Ortiz’s
exit from Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter 11,” as well as his
withdrawal from a bout against rival coach Chuck
Liddell at June’s UFC 115, has only begun to unfold on the
series. However, the former light heavyweight champion is already
taking steps to get his side of the story out.
In a video Ortiz posted to his official Web site on Thursday, the somber 34-year-old fighter speaks on the night before he underwent fusion surgery March 15 to correct two displaced disks in his neck.
“Three months ago, I said my neck was jacked and I was still fighting. I still was putting my ass on the line,” said Ortiz. “I can’t fight hurt anymore. I can’t fight injured and look for excuses. I never want to look for excuses. I always want to win every one of my fights, but here’s another surgery.”
Ortiz, who also underwent fusion surgery for his lower back with the same doctor in October 2008, explains how the neck injury caused headaches and “numbness down his arms,” and prevented his ability to train properly for the bout. Specifically, Ortiz says the injury affected his ability to wrestle and spar on the TV series.
“That why they pretty much fired me the last five days before the ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ was over,” said Ortiz.
Ortiz does not specify exactly who relieved him of his coaching services on the show.
Wednesday’s episode of the Spike TV reality series showed Ortiz returning from a doctor’s visit and breaking news of his pending surgery to some of his team and coaching staff at the Ultimate Fighter gym. In the episode’s last scene, UFC President Dana White sits down Ortiz’s rival coach, Chuck Liddell, and breaks the news that Ortiz has withdrawn from their pending bout at UFC 115 on June 12 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The teaser for next week’s episode hints that Ortiz might be removed from his coaching position during a conversation with White, though there is no indication given that former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin will stand in for Ortiz during the last few days of the show.
White publicly denied numerous reports that surfaced in March claiming that Franklin had replaced Ortiz on the UFC 115 roster. The promotion eventually announced the bout between Franklin and Liddell, but has not commented on Ortiz’s exit or future with the organization yet.
On Wednesday, Ortiz’s official Twitter site posted that the surgery appeared successful and a timetable for the fighter’s return is afoot.
“Just got the green light from my dr today,” read one post. “He was very happy with the progress,” while another said, “good to go!!! Oct or nov.”
Attempts to reach Ortiz for additional comment were not initially answered.
In a video Ortiz posted to his official Web site on Thursday, the somber 34-year-old fighter speaks on the night before he underwent fusion surgery March 15 to correct two displaced disks in his neck.
“Three months ago, I said my neck was jacked and I was still fighting. I still was putting my ass on the line,” said Ortiz. “I can’t fight hurt anymore. I can’t fight injured and look for excuses. I never want to look for excuses. I always want to win every one of my fights, but here’s another surgery.”
Ortiz, who also underwent fusion surgery for his lower back with the same doctor in October 2008, explains how the neck injury caused headaches and “numbness down his arms,” and prevented his ability to train properly for the bout. Specifically, Ortiz says the injury affected his ability to wrestle and spar on the TV series.
“That why they pretty much fired me the last five days before the ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ was over,” said Ortiz.
Ortiz does not specify exactly who relieved him of his coaching services on the show.
Wednesday’s episode of the Spike TV reality series showed Ortiz returning from a doctor’s visit and breaking news of his pending surgery to some of his team and coaching staff at the Ultimate Fighter gym. In the episode’s last scene, UFC President Dana White sits down Ortiz’s rival coach, Chuck Liddell, and breaks the news that Ortiz has withdrawn from their pending bout at UFC 115 on June 12 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The teaser for next week’s episode hints that Ortiz might be removed from his coaching position during a conversation with White, though there is no indication given that former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin will stand in for Ortiz during the last few days of the show.
White publicly denied numerous reports that surfaced in March claiming that Franklin had replaced Ortiz on the UFC 115 roster. The promotion eventually announced the bout between Franklin and Liddell, but has not commented on Ortiz’s exit or future with the organization yet.
On Wednesday, Ortiz’s official Twitter site posted that the surgery appeared successful and a timetable for the fighter’s return is afoot.
“Just got the green light from my dr today,” read one post. “He was very happy with the progress,” while another said, “good to go!!! Oct or nov.”
Attempts to reach Ortiz for additional comment were not initially answered.
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