Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz will become the ninth member of the UFC Hall of Fame in July.
UFC president Dana White confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday that Ortiz will be inducted during the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas.
At UFC 148, Ortiz will face Forrest Griffin in one of the main card bouts. It will mark the final fight for Ortiz inside the UFC.
“He, pound-for-pound, was doing some of the most damage at a time when we were hurting,” White said. “But it’s part of our history the way the storylines played out between me, Chuck (LIddell) and Tito. He’s definitely a part of the history of the sport.”
Ortiz defended the UFC light heavyweight title a record five times. He confirmed after his last fight – a loss to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – that he would fulfill his UFC contract and than retire.
It’s highly likely that with all the recent changes done to the UFC 148 card, Ortiz-Griffin will take the co-main event place. With Ortiz being inducted, and it being his final fight, that seems highly likely now.
Photo credit: Tracy Lee/Yahoo! Sports
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