Tito: I have closed the door on fighting

Tito Ortiz is retired at age 42. He has suffered through lower back injuries, disc fusions, ACL surgery, a detached retina in his left eye, and several neck surgeries. He and longtime girlfriend Amber Nichole Miller are raising all three of Ortiz’s sons, each of whom wrestles.

In addition, Ortiz serves as an ambassador for Bellator MMA, will appear Tyler Perry’s “Boo 2! A Madea Halloween” which premieres Friday, runs the sports management group Primetime 360 which represents UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, recently formed a wholesale and retail car dealership called Tito Ortiz Auto Group, commentates, plays some professional poker, and works with charities including Give Back Hollywood Foundation, Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation, Racing for Kids, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Tower Cancer Research Foundation.

What he’s not doing is returning to fighting.

As a fighter, it’s time to say it’s over after 20 years of competition, said the UFC Hall of Famer to Simon Samano for MMAjunkie. I’m 42 years old. I’ve been through eight surgeries, and I still have my head on my shoulders, which I’m very, very lucky. Fortunate for the things that I’ve had through mixed martial arts, so I’m just trying to use the best of it to build the name of Tito Ortiz.

I’m doing well, man. Just working hard and chasing this American dream, and I’m living it.

Ortiz and Chael Sonnen have bickered bitterly on Twitter at some length, before and after Tito tapped him at Bellator 170 in January. Is the enmity (which is usually feigned in the sport) enough to get him back fighting?

You know what? I may kick Chael’s ass just one time, just because, maybe for free, said Ortiz laughing. Because I hate the guy.

I really don’t want to, but I really dislike that guy a lot. But I’m not looking forward to it, man. I’m not looking forward to training again. I’m not looking forward to being on the grind. But that guy just can’t shut his mouth about me.

I’ve learned a lot through my life – mixed martial arts, as a businessman, as an entreprenuer, and as a fighter and a father. It’s just time to shut that door and open up other doors.