After leaving the UFC for a little more than one year, Tito Ortiz returned this past weekend for a long-awaited rematch fight against Forrest Griffin at UFC 106. The first time these two fighters met in the cage was in April of 2006 at the UFC 59 ‘Reality Check’ event. At that time, Ortiz was able to sneak in a victory over Griffin in a very controversial split decision. In their rematch bout however, the tables turned as the result ended in a split decision again but this time it was in favor of Griffin.
Ortiz was not very pleased with the decision, stating that he caused enough damage in the first two rounds which should have given him the victory. Nonetheless, Griffin was the real winner in the eyes of the judges and now their overall score is tied at one a piece.
Snip from Tito Ortiz:
“I thought I won the fight. I thought I pulled it off two rounds to one. You know, that third round, I’m very thankful to Dr. William Smith here in Las Vegas for doing the surgery that he did, otherwise I would not have been able to step in against a guy who is ranked fifth in the world. I came in and thought I won the fight. [I didn’t reveal my injuries prior because] You gotta sell the fight, right? I had disc C-7 or C-6 pressing on my spinal cord. I was in traction for awhile. Beyond that I came in and put up a fight. I put my heart and soul inside that cage every time I fight. I thought I won the fight. I thought I won. I thought I won…. I thought I won the first round and I thought I won the second round. You see the damage on his face? I got him good. In the third round I was gassed, but after taking 18 months off, I want to see another fighter come in here [and undergoing back surgery] and do what I just did. I gave my heart and soul, man. I entertained the fans. And for me not getting “Fight of the Night,” I’m taken back by it, but it is what it is. I thought I won. The judge called it 30-27, I mean what the fuck, are you blind or something? But hey, it is what it is, I’ll be back. I feel good. I’m sorry I let my fans down. I thought I won…. I’m pissed.”
