POSTED: August 19, 2008 - 12:33 pm
CATEGORIES: MMA
Despite proclaiming earlier this month that he had signed a “record breaking” contract with Affliction Entertainment, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz is once again negotiating with multiple MMA promotions, reports MMAjunkie.com’s Dann Stupp in his latest column for the Dayton Daily News.
Stupp reports that Ortiz is talking to the usual suspects such as Affliction and EliteXC but also adds that the Kentucky-based American Fight League is making a play for his services and that even talks are taking place between Ortiz and the UFC.
Despite the resumption of talks, it remains to be seen just how serious Ortiz is about signing a contract and fighting anytime soon.
“I don’t know if we’re really negotiating, or simply helping Tito stroke his giant ego,” an unnamed fight company representative is quoted as saying in Stupp’s article.
Ortiz’s options may not be as plentiful as they were several months ago. Recent reports indicate that ProElite-owned EliteXC is not doing well financially and there are strong indications that Affliction could start exercising greater fiscal responsibility.
The AFL is a bit of a mystery player as they’ve made high-profile signings of former WWE superstar Bobby Lashley and former BodogFIGHT women’s champion Tara LaRosa in recent months, but they’ve yet to make any formal plans regarding a much-talked about November pay-per-view.
Might a return to the UFC be a realistic option for Ortiz? While a lot of bad blood exists between he and company President Dana White, that hasn’t prevented them from agreeing on a new contract in the past. If CEO Lorenzo Fertitta makes Ortiz a strong enough offer, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him fight again in the Octagon once more.
It would be great to see him back in the octagon as he's still a draw for casual fans, however since his last return, besides the total destruction of an undersized over the hill natural middleweight jacked up to light heavyweight very over rated Ken Shamrock, Ortiz has proven to be competitive against near top guys by winning and losing close decisions, but that's about as much as he'll ever accomplish at this stage on the game. He also only has a few short years left even at this level so my point is, his stock has fallen yet you know he's expecting top dollar and maybe more which is why I don't see Elite XC being able to bring him in and a contract with Affliction is also questionable for the same reason. Ortiz will have to drop his price if he ever hopes to fight again because he would obviously have less negotiating leverage with the UFC now than he's ever had.
Freddy said all that needs to be said. Second that motion.

