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[Warchief]

Despite recent comments from Renato “Babalu” Sobral to the contrary, a fight between top UFC light heavyweights Lyoto Machida (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and Tito Ortiz (15-5-1 MMA, 14-5-1 UFC) has not been canceled and will, in fact, take place May 24 at UFC 84.

The news comes from Machida’s manager, Ed Soares, who was a guest on Thursday’s edition of The Lights Out Show on the TAGG Radio Network, a content partner of MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com).

In a recent interview with PunchDrunkGamer.com, Sobral said he didn’t think Ortiz wanted the fight and that the UFC would probably have to find a new opponent for Machida. Those comments led to a lot of speculation that the fight had been scratched.

Not true, says Soares, who also manages UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira and UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

The Machida-Ortiz is official, he says.

UFC 84 is expected to feature a main event between UFC lightweight champ B.J. Penn and former champ Sean Sherk. The event takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

In recent interviews, Ortiz has confirmed that the fight is the last under his current UFC deal and that he doesn’t expect to return to the organization. With his fame and popularity, which is aided by his current weekly appearances on NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” Ortiz will likely fetch top dollar on the free-agent market. The former UFC champion has fought outside the organization only once in his 11-year career.

Machida, a former K-1 and WFA fighter, pushed his record to a 12-0 (including a 4-0 mark in the UFC) with a second-round submission of Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou back in December at UFC 79. The 29-year-old owns victories over the likes of Rich Franklin, B.J. Penn, Stephan Bonnar and David Heath.

Lyoto Machida’a Manager: Fight with Tito Ortiz Set for UFC 84 -- MMAjunkie.com

[Noise Chopped]

Hope so. When Tito leaves, Bodog or EliteXC or whoever overpays will find out he's not as big a draw as he was when the sport wasn't as mainstream/competetive.

I just hope Machida finishes him completely. Doesn't leave it to the judges or cuts it close or anything.

[Ramma]

If Tito LnPs over Machida, and leaves the UFC.. it hurts the UFC big time.


Tito will also have a lot going for him being that he beat a guy that BJ Penn, Sokoujdou, Franklin, and Bonnar could not.

[Marlo Black]

Sweet, this is great news. It will be a nice win for Tito's resumé.

[astepawayfromx]

Originally Posted by Ramma

If Tito LnPs over Machida, and leaves the UFC.. it hurts the UFC big time.


Tito will also have a lot going for him being that he beat a guy that BJ Penn, Sokoujdou, Franklin, and Bonnar could not.

He beat BJ Penn yes, but he went to decision in a close fight with a guy who's natural weight is around 165, and was fighting at 205.

He beat bonnar via a cut, and bonnar would more than likely beat him at this point based on the amount his fighting has improved in the last few years.

He did beat rich franklin, but after his completely annihilation by Silva I'm not sure the casual fan would put much stock into it.

IMO Machida is highly overrated, as is Tito, this fight is very simply going to be either tito taking down machida and LnP a decision, or maybe GnP a win in the late rounds, or Machida with a decision due to picking away at tito on his feet.

I wouldn't bet, but if I had to I'd lean towards tito by lnp decision.

[pa99ortiz]

I'm going to have to say Tito is going to be victorious over Machida. I feel that if can secure his takedown, and use his brutal ground and pound then the fight is his. Yes of course he will lose the stand up, but he will prevail in the end.