Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Tito Ortiz situation with the UFC contract

thefightnetwork.com is reporting about Tito Ortiz's matters in the UFC.

(...)

“They don’t want the fighters to get as big as a 'Tyson' or a 'De La Hoya' or one of those types because all of a sudden, they’ll be expecting to see a lot more payment,” said Ortiz. “The UFC makes about 99 percent of the money, and the rest goes to the fighters. That one percent ain't nothing compared to what they make on merchandising, on pay-per-view, and everything else they make around the world.”

(...)

“I was expecting a bigger fight [than a fight against Lyoto Machida (12-0) at a UFC event on May 24]. I think the fans were expecting a bigger fight,” said Ortiz. “I got pressed into it, and all of a sudden, it’s all over the Internet that Tito Ortiz won’t fight Machida. I’m just looking to get my final fight over with the UFC.”

(...)

“They said I wasn’t worth the money,” said Ortiz. “I was worth no more than what I’m getting paid now, and I’m not a commodity to them anymore. I’m not as viable to them anymore. That was a sign of disrespect.”

Ortiz also believes White's ill feelings towards him will most likely prevent the fighter from getting a shot at the UFC title again.

"With Dana in charge, I don't think that fight will ever happen for me," said Ortiz. "Dana has bad blood for me and nothing but bad blood. They're going to try and ruin me."

(...)

“UFC is caring so much about the brand itself,” said Ortiz. “They could care less about the fighters. Fighters are a dime a dozen. They’ll keep coming. Dana is really out for himself and the company. He doesn’t give a shit about the fighters.”
Tito Ortiz - next candidate to change the MMA promotion?.. Maybe. And it doesn't really matter which promotion he will choose (in case he really leave UFC) - M-1 Global or some else, because all other promotions seem to be happy cooperating with M-1 Global.

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