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[Cat--Smasher]

Tito Ortiz Sounds Off on Retirement, Cyborg-Rousey, Jones And New Business Ventures

In those stressful stretches of time, the seeds were planted for a future in the management business, a venture that could capitalize on his own experiences and contacts. His first signing was a big one, the former Strikeforce women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg.

"It's going to take a little bit of time as I have to prove my worth," he said. "I'm starting by working with Cris. I know she had problems last year but I’m willing to put my name on her and revamp every idea she's ever thought she had to become the champion again. I'm going out and looking to get the next best fighters and giving them opportunities. I’m not going to promise them the world, but I’ll promise them the opportunity to get the world. If you have opportunity and you take it and grab it, you can find success. That’s the way life is. You've got to have the opportunity and I’m going to give that to a lot of fighters."

Cyborg is in one way a curious first client for Ortiz, who has in the past been quite vocal about fighters who use performance-enhancing drugs. Cyborg is still officially suspended from competing after a California state athletic commission drug test resulted in a finding of the usage of the steroid stanozolol. Because of that, his signing of her appears appears contradictory to his previous stance. Ortiz believes otherwise.

"I'm making a statement," he said. "I'll grab someone who has problems, and I'm going to fix it. I'm going to show them the right way. We’ve sat down, and she explained to me it was a mistake and she’s not going to do it again. Everybody deserves a second chance. If she messes up again, my name is on it. I put my stamp of approval on her, and I believe in her. I promise to the fans it won't happen again."

When Cyborg's suspension is up in December, Ortiz might have his first management battle brewing. A superfight between Cyborg and current Strikeforce bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has been much-discussed, but both women want the fight on their own turf -- Cyborg wants it at 145 where she was formerly the champ, while Rousey has insisted she will only fight the Brazilian at 135, where she now reigns.

Ortiz insists that they will have to compromise and use a 140-pound catch weight.

"Ronda has the marketing machine behind her, so of course she'll try to get her way, but people want to see who the best woman is," he said. "Rousey has fought at 145 time and again while Cyborg has been at 145 always, so why should she come down a whole weight class? If you want to put the best against the best, compete with someone cutting an extra five pounds to fight against you."

The Rousey vs. Cyborg issue may turn out to be the first thorny issue that Ortiz faces with the Zuffa promotion in his new role as a manager. While his pro fighting tenure with the group was lengthy, it was also rocky. Ortiz characterizes his current relationship with Dana White as "cool," saying there are no problems between the two and that he has let most of his past grudges go. But he also believes that the troubled times were a learning experience from which to draw when faced with future negotiations scenarios.

"I think things will go a lot easier," he said. "I've learned a lot from mistakes. I won't bring those same things to the table next time. If my guys deserve something, I'm going to show on paper why they deserve it. And if they don't deserve things, then I understand that. But I'm going to make sure my guys understand it's not just about fighting. You have to do promotion. You have to go outside the box and do speech 101 and communications classes in college. Treat it like a business. I want to bring them fighters that are easy to work with."

If this sounds at odds with who Ortiz was during his fighting days, the irony is not lost on him. Someone, he insists, had to pave the way for multi-million dollar paydays, and that couldn't be done with a polite request. Sometimes, it required clashing of heads, fighting in the media and time apart.

"Jon Jones, the reason he's driving around in a Bentley is I'd say a lot because of me standing my ground," he said.

If Jones wins his next fight, he will tie Ortiz's long-standing record for most light heavyweight championship defenses. Ortiz openly admits he will be rooting for Jones' UFC 152 opponent Vitor Belfort, at least partially so that record remains his. But he also insists that he believes Belfort has a much better chance than the lopsided odds indicate.

"He’s a southpaw," he said. "Lyoto Machida gave Jon some problems in the beginning with some good shots. If Vitor is able to him hit with the same shots, he’s going to take him out."

For the record, Ortiz's analysis could be colored by two things. First, he is friends with Belfort. And second, he recently voiced disappointment in comments Jones made about him regarding contract issues and fighter's rights. In Ortiz's mind, the new wave of fighters like Jones only have the road map to success largely drawn out for them because of people like him charting the course. That's part of the reason he decided to start an amateur series. While he has no desire to compete with the UFC, he does want to guide careers from the very beginning, to teach young athletes about both the sport and the business of MMA.

Tito Ortiz Sounds Off on Retirement, Cyborg-Rousey, Jones And New Business Ventures - MMA Fighting

[rough-n-tumble]

I find it a bit interesting his comments surrounding the PED use when he's trainned with her. I thought there was more of a relationship there with the cyborg's than just a casual training partner and her being the first signed fighter of his I'd believe he knows more about the incident then he lets on.

Hope his management endeavor works out and would probably be a good avenue for fighters making their way into the sport and working with someone who understands that fighters and the business side as well.

[lwbrewer]

This is one fight I think Tito will win. He will do a excellent job getting his fighters places, but he will take his share of $$$ for it too.

[Sniggles]

I like the idea of a former MMA fighter managing fighters, as do I for reffing and judging. I hope the old guard will become evolved not just in business but regulation to make a difference, rather than being someone like crazy old Don Frye spouting absurdities.

[MickeyKnox]

"Rousey has fought at 145 time and again while Cyborg has been at 145 always, so why should she come down a whole weight class? If you want to put the best against the best, compete with someone cutting an extra five pounds to fight against you."

Time and again.

[W.Silva>C.Norris]

Originally Posted by Sniggles

I like the idea of a former MMA fighter managing fighters, as do I for reffing and judging. I hope the old guard will become evolved not just in business but regulation to make a difference, rather than being someone like crazy old Don Frye spouting absurdities.

I agree, but given his "diffucult" nature, Im not sure Tito was the right one to lead down the path. I dont doubt his conviction, or that he will do the best he can for his clients, but I wonder if his reputation and past will affect the way promoters deal with him.

Im quite suprised, after the TUF appearances he had, that he's not coaching up and coming kids with his time. He seemed to really have a gift for it.

[lwbrewer]

Originally Posted by W.Silva>C.Norris

I agree, but given his "diffucult" nature, Im not sure Tito was the right one to lead down the path. I dont doubt his conviction, or that he will do the best he can for his clients, but I wonder if his reputation and past will affect the way promoters deal with him.

Im quite suprised, after the TUF appearances he had, that he's not coaching up and coming kids with his time. He seemed to really have a gift for it.

There more money in managing than just coaching would be my take on Tito