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Whether he wins or loses May 24 in Las Vegas against Lyoto Machida, it certainly appears o Ortiz will end his 11-year Ultimate Fighting Championship career. But there will be no televised celebration of his accomplishments when the fight is over.
UFC president Dana White will want it to end as quietly as possible, with Ortiz as an afterthought, and the crowning of the undefeated Machida as a new top star.
After years of a very public war between the promoter and one of his top stars, the UFC 84 fight essentially determines who gets in the last word.
“He’s one of the most dishonest human beings I’ve ever met,” White said. “I put up with him when he was a good fighter. He’s not anymore. He’s done. I’m no longer in the o Ortiz business.”
“Dana White, when he was my manager, he was the one fighting with the owners at the time to get me more money,” Ortiz said. “I’m just doing the things he was doing for me.”
Ortiz has had more fights (21) in the octagon than any man in history. He was the longest-reigning champion in company history, a three-and-a-half year run as light heavyweight champion from 2000-03. And the Huntington Beach, Calif., native headlined the company’s two most successful pay-per-view events in matches with Ken Shamrock (770,000 buys) and Chuck Liddell (1.05 million), and the company’s highest rated television special (3.1), in a third match with Shamrock.
The war of words between the two is nothing new, as they’ve had issues since 2003, when UFC wanted to put together the first Ortiz vs. Liddell match and Ortiz claimed he didn’t want to take the fight because the two were close friends and had an agreement not to fight each other (Liddell claimed there was no such agreement).
But the problems between White and Ortiz escalated in 2007 and have grown even worse in recent weeks as the story’s apparent final act gets set to unfold.
Ortiz’s contract expires with this fight. Things got so bad that Lorenzo Fer ta, the company’s co-owner, and not White, was involved in trying to negotiate a new deal. But they couldn’t come to terms.
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“They told me I wasn’t worth as much as I was in the past,” Ortiz said.
Technically, there is a 30-day period after the contract expires where he can only negotiate with UFC, and then a period where UFC has the right to match any outside offer.
“I’m looking for something where I can be a promoter (as part of a contract with a new company),” said Ortiz, noting that would guarantee something the UFC wouldn’t match and he’d be a free agent.
“There’s not going to be any bidding war,” White said. “Gary Shaw (promoter at Elite XC) should offer him $30 a fight, because we’re not going to match it.”
While money issues are a big part of the problems between the two, Ortiz conceded that the final six-fight deal Fer ta offered him was probably worth more than he would be able to get elsewhere. But he turned it down, wanting to be away from White.
“I think it’s time to start a new chapter in my life,” Ortiz said.
“This guy went on Howard Stern and said he was getting $200,000 a fight,” White said. “That was such a lie. o made $5.8 million in 2006. He only fought once in 2007. He made $710,000 for that fight (with Rashad Evans) and that was the third match from the top (on the card). He goes around saying we made $231 million last year. He’s a moron. This guy talks about what a businessman he is, and he was on ‘The Apprentice’ and he doesn’t know the difference between revenue and profit.”
Ortiz has been unhappy with White’s public comments, in which the UFC president called both Ortiz and girlfriend Jenna Jameson, who had done some negotiating with UFC for him, “morons.”
“He lied when he said he took me back (in 2006) because my wife called him up and begged him,” Ortiz said. “I was negotiating with the WFA (the World Fighting Alliance, a rival organization that fell apart after one show; UFC purchased the remnants) and they brought me back on the terms that I wanted to keep me from going there.”
“Kristen (Ortiz’s wife at the time) called me,” White said. “She was all upset and asked me to take him back. If he thinks it was about the WFA, look at what happened to the WFA. Rampage (Quinton Jackson) still es about them to this day. Ask B.J. Penn. Ask any of the guys who have left and have come back. The grass isn’t always greener.”
The 2006 contract also had a clause that the two would do a three-round boxing match. While the idea sounds ridiculous on the surface, White was a former amateur boxer and early in Ortiz’s career, when he was still primarily a wrestler, they trained boxing together and at the time White was the better boxer.
A special on e TV that aired in April 2007 was portrayed as if Ortiz backed out of the match, which did no favors for his reputation or drawing power.
“The special was all about Dana White, flying around in Lear jets,” Ortiz said. “We agreed to do a 50/50 split on revenues, but then he would never sign a bout agreement. I did all my medicals, just like a regular fight. Then they made it look like he was standing there at the weigh-ins and I didn’t show up.”
White said the boxing match was supposed to be private, until Ortiz talked about it with a reporter and suddenly interest escalated, but whatever money was to go to charity.
From a business standpoint, Ortiz in 2006 was pure gold. But in 2008, it’s very much a question. Ortiz hasn’t had a win against a true top opponent in years.
Even Ortiz’s 15-5-1 record is interpreted completely different by both.
“In the last eight years, the only people who have beaten me are Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, two of the best fighters in the world,” Ortiz said.
“Look at his record,” White said. “When was the last time he beat a legitimate top contender? Forrest Griffin was right out of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and a lot of people think Griffin won that fight. You have to go back to Vitor Belfort (in early 2005). He’s not ranked in anyone’s top 10.”
Ortiz said the difference is for the first time in five years, his back problems, which hampered his formerly explosive takedown shots, is healed.
“I feel 100 percent,” he said. “I was 60 to 70 percent when I fought Rashad (Evans) and Chuck. I didn’t have to get injections in my back two weeks before the fight like with Evans. I’m wrestling the way I used to wrestle for the first time in years.”
And even White concedes Ortiz can help them and come across as a top star on the outside.
“He’ll probably dominate, because he won’t be fighting the same level of compe ion,” he said. “Kimbo Slice? Three months ago he was fighting in your backyard.”
Ortiz feels he’s got several potential big fights outside of the UFC.
“There’s a rematch with Randy Couture, a rematch with Frank Shamrock, and maybe (heavyweights) Kimbo Slice or Fedor Emelianenko,” he said. “Yes, they are (except Shamrock) heavyweights, but we can fight at a catch weight. Babalu (Renato Sobral) is another one. I have three or four years left.”
It’s no secret why UFC booked Machida, 12-0, a highly respected but uncharismatic relative unknown to the casual UFC fans, as Ortiz’s last opponent. The expectation is Machida would get a win over a huge name opponent, and hopefully become a star in the process, and become someone who can draw if challenging for the marquee light heavyweight le.
The match has more intrigue within the MMA world than any fight in a long time, because Machida is seen as White’s surrogate fighter, and the question becomes, if Ortiz wins, what will he do, and what will he say, in his final interview. Or will White allow him a final interview?
“He did not want to fight Machida,” White said. “He ranted and raved to (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva about it. “I can’t do anything about the matches once they’re in the cage. Everyone knows my feelings for Chuck Liddell, but when he’s in the cage, there’s nothing I can do and either he wins or he loses. But this time, I want to see Machida win. But if o knocks Machida out, I’m still out of the o Ortiz business.”
And this right here Evan is why Dana White is bad for business. Why do the Ferittas put up with this garbage from him?? He is ranting and raving about how "win or lose o is out of here and can't wait to get rid of him". The man is still one of the biggest draws in the sport. His rematch with Lidell broke PPV records across the board. The best business deal for the UFC is to re-sign o and try to build him back up to another main event fight, where the numbers would again likely be huge. Nope, Dana White can't stop shooting his mouth off and acting like the Vince Mcmahon of the MMA world. Think about it, he is promoting a fight coming up on a big card and telling everyone that "One of the fighters on the main card you will see is washed up". How the is that good for his PPV buys?? The casual fan will not watch it if he thinks the product is . Him being so front and center i have said it before and will say it again "Is bad for business". White and Ortiz going at it like this is all in good fun as far as entertainment goes but when it comes down to this clown basically saying " this guy, i want him gone for personal reasons" that is just completely stupid, when he is making you millions of dollars. Randy is gone and never coming back thanks a lot to Dana, Fedor is likely never coming to the UFC thanks to Dana and his mouth, and now o is leaving thanks a lot to Dana and his mouth. This guy is going to kill that company yet, just a matter of time.
I see what you're saying brutha...I can't stand Dana's mouth. I wish he would stop doing interviews and disrespecting fighters.
But look at what he's done for MMA. How can it be said he has made a negative impact?
If it weren't for Dana Affliction, EliteXC, Adrenaline...and the rest would not exist.
Right now I am watching inside MMA on HDnet...would that exist if it weren't for him?
What if the rumors are true that his back is shot? You can only feed him Ken Shamrock so many times.
Lorenzo has been quoted countless times stating he is the sole reason why the UFC made it. Remember, they bought the UFC for about 1.5 million.
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/0505/080.html
You just have to learn to ignore what he says. Most do. In Chuck bio he says half of Dana's job is to be a carnival barker and stir things up.
"I see what you're saying brutha...I can't stand Dana's mouth. I wish he would stop doing interviews and disrespecting fighters."
And then some, didn't Fedor say one of the main reasons he is not coming to the UFC is Dana and his damn trash talking about him???
"But look at what he's done for MMA. How can it be said he has made a negative impact?
If it weren't for Dana Affliction, EliteXC, Adrenaline...and the rest would not exist.
Right now I am watching inside MMA on HDnet...would that exist if it weren't for him?"
He has done a lot and that is actually part of the problem. His EGO is completely out of control. Throwing a huge PPV draw out the door and laughing about it the whole time is all about EGO and personal garbage, nothing more.
"What if the rumors are true that his back is shot? You can only feed him Ken Shamrock so many times."
That is not really relevant right now when he is heading into a big fight. You don't talk smack about a fighters ability when he is on your card. The UFC is trying to sell this event and Dana is telling everyone "This guy is a bad fighter" Okay then Dana let me ask you, Why should i hand you 45 bucks for this event???
"Lorenzo has been quoted countless times stating he is the sole reason why the UFC made it. Remember, they bought the UFC for about 1.5 million."
If their loyalty to White has kept them from reigning him in when it comes to issues like this that is a mistake on their part. Business is business and some of these antics are hurting the UFC. From a financial standpoint does it make any sense at all that Dana is happy o is leaving the company?? That he talks smack about the perceived best heavyweight in the world, hurting the chances he ever comes to your company?? Right there lies the problem i have with him.
Taking into everything we have learned since the contracts fell apart I still say its a 50/50 problem where both Fedor's people and the contract that was submitted. If the UFC has agreed to a non exclusive contract that didn't auto renew if he was a champion I am sure Dana's mouth would be smiled away.
Is there anymore fickle fan than MMA fans? From what I have read the UFC has offered him a 6 fight contract but no raise. The UFC gives these guys physicals...they know what their problems are.
Lets say he loses to Lyoto which in my opinion is likely. That makes him 3 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw since he came back to the UFC. 2 of those wins again Ken. Then what you have on your hands is a very expensive contract from a guy who can't seem to beat anyone good...all that with a fickle fan base who turns on everyone.
We're getting our quotes crossed because that comment was mainly based on re-signing.
But does this help PPV's? yeah it does. It adds massive intrigue. His comments won't cause a single person to not tune in. It will only add some PPV's.
Let me make a few things clear from my end.
1. I am not saying o is not a draw
2. EliteXC/Affliction cannot afford him, he will have to take a pay cut. (Affliction is blowing a huge wad on their first card and they will likely close doors after 2 cards and EliteXC is in limbo until they have a few TV fights since they are losing so much money)
3. o will eventually be back in the UFC.
Again I provide a source that says this is wrong.
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/0505/080.html
We still have zero proof anyone can survive or make a profit besides the UFC.
Lets not forget Dana said that after talks failed so that not a reason why he never signed but indeed it hurts the future.
“ o is finishing up his UFC contract this weekend. What does he do next? Wear out his name in MMA, or capitalize on his love for pro wrestling and exploit his larger than life personality by joining WWE or TNA? And remember, where o goes, so goes Jenna Jameson, the best self-promoter in show business today.“
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