Dana White: I like the new Tito, job not on the line vs. Rashad
Tito Ortiz agreed to take the Aug. 6 main-event bout vs. Rashad Evans, and White said the fighter earned himself…
Tito Ortiz agreed to take the Aug. 6 main-event bout vs. Rashad Evans, and White said the fighter earned himself a reprieve – and possibly a big rankings jump in the 205-pound division – by stepping up after initially deciding against a quick return to action.
“Tito turned it down, and then Tito called back and said, ‘Did you get the fight yet?'” White said. “I said, ‘Nope.’ He goes, ‘Let me think about it. Let me talk to my team, and I’ll call you back tomorrow.’ This was Tuesday night.”
“I think it’s a big fight for Tito,” White said. “I think he’s got a lot of momentum after winning that last fight. Evans was in line for a shot. Tito is now fighting a guy he went to a draw with and who hasn’t fought in a year and a half.”
“F—— right, he gets a break (from being cut with a loss). Tito stepped up to the plate. It’s f—— weird here. It’s like I’m dealing with a new person. I like it. I like the new Tito.
“The storyline is what’s so interesting. Tito went from, ‘You’re about to be cut,’ to now, if he beats Rashad Evans, he’s back in the mix. He’s back in the picture (for a title shot).”
