Many have been wondering about what’s in store for former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz. With rumors that he has received big money offers from several other fight companies, Ortiz has set the record straight. In an interview with IronLife.com, Ortiz said:
Iâ<80><99>ll be re-signing with the UFC and they gave me what I want. I know a lot of other companies that are asking about me and I canâ<80><99>t count how many phone calls Iâ<80><99>ve said â<80>~I canâ<80><99>t talk to you guys anymore,â<80><99> because itâ<80><99>s against my contract’. Itâ<80><99>s just one of those things. I think if you look at the history of Ultimate Fighting Championship, and you look at a person or a fighter whoâ<80><99>s made more money for the company than any other fighter in the world, my nameâ<80><99>s going to be right on top of all those names, way past Liddell, way past Couture because Iâ<80><99>ve had a huge draw and a huge fan base that still support me 100 percent, win, lose, or draw.
The two biggest free agents in the world of mixed martial arts are currently Brock Lesnar and reigning PRIDE FC World Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko. Both men have been in negotiations with UFC and we’ve got a major update on Fedor’s situation. Fedor’s manager, Vadim Finkelstein, has confirmed that Fedor was very close to signing with UFC. After lengthy negotiations, UFC sent Fedor a contract that was “absolutely different” than the terms the two sides had agreed upon. Finklestein claims that is the reason Fedor is still a free-agent and not a UFC-contracted fighter.
