Props: USA Today
Quoteworthy:
"I told myself I would never take a fight like I did last year ever again. I promised myself I'd never do that, because I never want to give a guy an opportunity to beat me again. I feel great, man. I haven't felt like this in a long time. It's been a good six, seven years since I felt the way I do now. The last time I felt like this was when I had my world title. You're going to see at the weigh-ins how good of a shape I'm in. I'm in really, really good shape. My weight's about 220 right now. Usually it's about 215, 212, so I'm able to really stay in great shape, and do the wrestling, and do the squats and lunges, and stuff that I couldn't do before because of my lower back. Now that I'm able to do it, it's a blessing in disguise, as I say ... People have got to look at [my past] fights before they judge. I give my heart and soul every time I go out and fight and I give 100%. I lay everything on the line. I don't get dominated in my fights. I don't get knocked out in my fights. I don't do things that other fighters do that still compete and are main-event fighters. I think that's the way it is. Tito Ortiz always has controversy behind my name. I don't know why it is, but I give my heart and soul for the UFC. I have from day one and I will continue to do it."
"The Huntington Beach Bad Back?" No more, according to a surgically repaired Tito Ortiz. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and survivor of cracked-skulliosis will make one last-ditch effort to get back to the mountain top when he clashes with former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 pupil Matt Hamill at UFC 121 on Oct. 23 in Anaheim. Can Ortiz secure his first win in almost four years? Or will he eventually join former coach Ken Shamerock on the regional circuit? Predictions for Saturday's fight por favor.