EliteXC confirms interest in Ortiz

[foutch550]

Credit: mmajunkie.com

EliteXC today confirmed its on the growing list of organizations that will compete for free agent Tito Ortiz's services.

EliteXC Head of Operations Jeremy Lappen confirmed the organization's interest today in a conference call for this Saturday's "EliteXC: Return of the King" event, which airs on Showtime and features a main event between lightweight champ KJ Noons and Yves Edwards.

"We're interested," Lapin said. "We'd love to have Tito as part of our organization."

EliteXC is the second organization publicly to announce its interest in the perhaps soon-to-be-ex UFC star. New Affliction partner Donald Trump, with whom Ortiz has developed a budding relationship after "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" appeared on Trump's reality show, "Celebrity Apprentice," announced last week that his organization would also like to sign Ortiz to a contract.

"I think every organization out there would love to have Tito," Lapin said. "We're talking to him, and we'll see what happens. The deal has always got to make sense for both sides. He'd be a great addition to our organization."

Although Ortiz and UFC President Dana White's very public feuding over the years would seem virtually to guarantee a departure from the organization, Ortiz himself has not completely ruled out a return to the octagon. When asked if he would be leaving the organizations, Ortiz told UFC commentator Joe Rogan, "I haven't decided at all," in a post-fight interview at UFC 84.

While Ortiz is no longer among the top 10 fighters in the world, his name recognition and marketability remain among the highest for any MMA competitor, and UFC events featuring Ortiz remain among the most-watched in MMA history.

-----------------------------

I know its kinda old news, but nevertheless......

better fit for Ortiz? Affliction or EliteXC?


Credit: mmajunkie.com

[hunterkiller]

And then the next day he announced he was GONE.

He's already signed with Affliction, he just hasn't found a pen yet. Trump coming on board was all it took. He did say on Howard Stern he would be in attendance at the Affliction event in July.

Tito's recent fights would lead people to believe he isn't a top 10 fighter anymore, but I believe he could beat some of the lower tier top 10 fighters like Jardine, T. Silva, etc. Machida made him look slow but as the fight wore on, he started to get a little something going before and then after that vicious body shot to the ribs. I'd love to see Tito vs Babalu.

[Bigshanks666]

Is this really thread worthy? I believe Ive read on several occasions that Gary Shaw has said the door is open to tito.

Oh and I totally agree, Tito vs. Babalu would be a sweet fight.

[Harlem]

Originally Posted by Bigshanks666

Oh and I totally agree, Tito vs. Babalu would be a sweet fight.

And who do you think would win?

I would say Tito because even though Babalu is decent at the stand up game, he takes pretty stupid chances that gets him KO'd.

[Bigshanks666]

Originally Posted by harlemhustla145

And who do you think would win?

I would say Tito because even though Babalu is decent at the stand up game, he takes pretty stupid chances that gets him KO'd.

I know Tito hasnt been sub'd in a really long time but I think Babalu could do it.

Praise thee Anaconda Choke!

[The Sundance Kid]

Yea, Gary said that he was interested in Tito months ago.

Nothing new here, move along people, move along.

[Mr. Raider]

Well guess what I'm confirming that I'm not interested in Tito Ortiz!!!!!!! Your washed up TITO.