The former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz, plans to return to the fight scene after having a successful back surgery he underwent on October 6th, 2008. According to Ortiz, he had been needing surgery since his last fight against Randy Couture in September of 2003. The Mexican-American did not give too many details on his upcoming match, but did confirm with media during the UFC 96 event in Ohio stating, “I’m fighting in August.”
Ortiz is considered the biggest free agent on the MMA market today, but is currently unable to sign with any other fight promotion until around April-June of 2009 due to a clause he signed with the UFC. Several promotions are anxiously waiting for the deadline of his clause. The clause does not allow Ortiz to sign a contract nor participate in any event other than the UFC until his his contract period is complete.
An August return hints a possible fight with the Affliction promotion since they are planning on having their third event that same month. No opponent has been released, but if he does sign with Affliction then he’ll most likely be fighting current Strikeforce 205-pound champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral. Both fighters have verbally agreed to fight and it would only take a signed contract for the bout to happen.
