Tito: I am taking Bellator title, everything at home is perfect
“At one time I was the best 205 pounder in the world. I went through a lot of things in a relationship over the last eight, nine years, and now it’s finally behind me.”
UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz won just one of his last nine fights in the UFC, but has seen a remarkable career resurgence in Bellator MMA. He tapped out former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko, the earned a split decision win over fellow UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar. And now he gets a shot at Bellator light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary at the ‘big top’ Bellator 141: Dynamite on September 19.
The trash talk began with McGreary accusing Ortiz of having a “big noggin.”
“I have a big noggin,” conceded Tito, to MMAjunkie. “I have big hands too. I have big elbows too. I have a big knee too. He’s a target large to hit himself.
I see a lot of holes in his game. He’s great in standup, great on the ground. Do I do the jiu-jitsu game? Do I do the standup game? On Sept. 19, we’re going to find out. I’m going to be the world champion. I know I’m gong to be the champion. I’ve already set it in my mind as a self-fulfilling prophecy. That’s why I wanted this fight.
“I’m ready. My minds right. My body’s right. I’m focused. Everything at home is perfect. When my mind’s right and everything at home is perfect, I’m a dangerous 205 pounder.
“At one time I was the best 205 pounder in the world. I went through a lot of things in a relationship over the last eight, nine years, and now it’s finally behind me. I’m happy. And I’m hungry. And I want a world title. And the way to do that is to beat Liam McGeary on Sept. 19.
I have six UFC title in office. Actually, I just cleared a spot for a Bellator world title. That’s my goal. I tell my kids, ‘Dad’s going to be a champion again.’
“I put in the work. You just gotta put in the work. And that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to get my hand raised on Sept. 19. People are going to think ‘God, that’s an amazing feat he just did.’ Everybody loves a comeback story. I’m a comeback story.”
“I’m here to prove my fans right. The one’s who’ve had my back. Who’ve been on Twitter saying ‘get Tito the fight, get Tito the fight.’ Throughout all this time it’s hashtag #ORTIZCHAMP2015. I’m going to make that happen.”
This will be McGeary first defense of the title he took from Emanuel Newton via decision in February.