Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz is approaching the end of his fighting career.
On July 7, at UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II, Ortiz will make his final appearance inside the Octagon against Forrest Griffin.
During that same weekend, Ortiz will also become the ninth member of the UFC’s Hall of Fame. As the only man to defend the UFC 205-pound title five times, Ortiz was an obvious choice for selection.
During a recent interview with Fighter’s Only Magazine, Ortiz proclaimed that he could have beaten anybody during his prime year of 2000.
Me around 2000, I could beat anybody. I could of beat anyone in the world, man. Now, 15 years later, look at me; I’m still competing against the top guys in the world – like I always have done – but the injuries have taken their toll. If I was the same game but without the surgeries, then I’d still be the champion! When I look back at my loss to (Randy) Couture, that’s when I had my first back problem. I was suffering through that fight camp, and I suffered for seven years with that back problem.
Ortiz (16-10-1) has lost his last two fights, and is just 1-5 in his previous six.
Photo credit: Tracy Lee/Yahoo! Sports
