MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum

[Warchief]

Despite rumors to the contrary, fueled in large part by comments made in a recent interview by former UFC fighter Babalu Sobral (see comments here), Tito Ortiz will face Lyoto Machida at UFC 84.

Sources close to Machida have confirmed that Joe Silva has a contract signed by both fighters and that the fight is a "go" for May 24 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Big thanks to Tagg Radio's The Lights Out Show for breaking the information.

Tito Ortiz is coming off of a controversial draw against Rashad Evens in which he was deducted a point for holding the fence. The point deduction likely cost him the victory.

Machida last fought at UFC 79; coming away with a huge victory against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. He is undefeated in twelve professional contests including a notable list of wins over Stephan Bonnar, Rich Franklin, B.J. Penn, Kazuhiro Nakamura.

Click here for much more breaking news and information from MMA's premier radio show.

Source

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

[mcdev88]

good iwanna see tito get whooped

[Warchief]

Originally Posted by mcdev88

good iwanna see tito get whooped

Me 2 and i hope Tito has some balls left to step in the Cage to face The Dragon.

[lilp86]

Originally Posted by Warchief

Me 2 and i hope Tito has some balls left to step in the Cage to face The Dragon.

I doubt it Titos more interseted in bein a celebrity than a fighter. I they do fight I see 1 of 2 things happening either Tito lays on Machida for 3 rounds (yawn) or Machida destroys him standing quickly. If Machida improved his takedown d its gonna be a long night for Tito if he had trouble with Chucks striking Machida is gonna give him nightmares for the rest of his life

[Warchief]

Originally Posted by lilp86

I doubt it Titos more interseted in bein a celebrity than a fighter. I they do fight I see 1 of 2 things happening either Tito lays on Machida for 3 rounds (yawn) or Machida destroys him standing quickly. If Machida improved his takedown d its gonna be a long night for Tito if he had trouble with Chucks striking Machida is gonna give him nightmares for the rest of his life

Even if Tito lays on Machida and try to put him down, I think Machida is good enought to depend Tito's takedown and even if Tito succesfully put him to the canvas...Machida has a lot of tools now to depend himself againts Tito's overrated ground game, in standing Tito would eat a lot of kicks and punches.


I see this fight taken by Machida via decision.

[edgesince84]

Am I the only one left that still thinks Tito has a little ground 'n' pound left in him? I don't care if he doesn't care about the UFC anymore - people say he's all about the money anymore - but what do you get when you win?

Money. A lot more of it than if you lose.

[boaz33]

I'm glad this fight is gonna happen, its an interesting match up. Tito has a much better chance than most people are giving him though, Machida has never faced a wrestler as strong as Tito, I don't think he gonna be able to avoid takedowns and gnp as well as everybody thinks.

[maxp84z]

this is Tito's last fight on his contract??? am I right? Hope he goes out with a W. but unlikely against Machida.. Machida is the real deal holyfield at 205.

[Monsterman]

Can´t see why Tito couldn´t win this fight, actually if his winning bonus was bigger than base salary i would pick him to win. =)

Chuck didn´t stop Tito twice b/c he´s the better striker, he did it b/c he has sick punching power and throws every punch to knock your head of. Machida dances around and picks you apart but only commits if you rush in and leave yourself open.

If Tito can´t take Machida down, and that´s a big if, Machida will probably just outpoint him on their feet and win a boring decision that looks like a sparring match.

If Tito can take him down i see a quite boring LnP decision for Tito. Machida will be too good from his back to get pounded out and Tito woun´t give him space for subs or sweeps.

Of course i hope i´m wrong and both or at least other comes out agressive and willing to take changes, that could make really exiting and competitive fight.

[POINDEXTER]

This is anybody's fight.