Randy Couture vs. Tito Ortiz possible for UFC 44

[Guest Lei Tong]

Despite reports (on both Maxfighting & MMAWeekly) on broken down negotiations between Tito Ortiz and Zuffa, and the possiblity of a rematch between Randy Couture and VItor Belfort, Maxfighting.com is now reporting that Tito Ortiz has very likely signed a contract to fight Randy Couture at UFC 44 in September.

 

Although Dana White would not comment on the validity of the rumors, he said that he would make a statement on Wendsday regarding the future of the UFC LHEW division.

 

The full story can be found at www.maxfighting.com

 

MY THOUGHTS: This comes as quite a suprised, as Tito has been occupied with work on the set of "The Crow (3)?)," and thus not training. Considering that TIto usually likes at least 3 months to train for a big time fight, I'm not sure how plausible this really is. However, anything is possible.

 

As usual, Dana is pretty mum, but I imagine his anouncement will either be Tito or Vitor vs. Randy.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Holy Crap, if this fight gets off the ground they could make some serious $$$ with it. Play up Couture as the total babyface and Tito as the heel - you got yourself a fine main event. Slap on an undercard featuring a Pride/UFC interpromotional match (speculated), two giants colliding in Tim Sylvia vs. Gan McGee as the heavyweight title fight, and a few other solid fights and that's a pretty fuckin fine PPV.

[Guest Lei Tong]

Well, now Tito has all but confirmed it himself, and my foot is in my mouth.

 

And I'm sure Tito will play up his character to maximum effect once again.

[Guest Army Eye]

It's on!!

 

http://www.maxfighting.com/

 

MaxFighting has learned that UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and newly crowned UFC "interim" light heavyweight champ Randy Couture will step into the Octagon on September 26 to unify the division's title. Though Zuffa president Dana White could not comment except to say there would be an announcement on Wednesday announcing plans for the September card, it's believed that Ortiz, absent in the ring because of injury and contract squabbles since November, has signed on the dotted line following several months of contentious negotiations, which saw both sides played out in the media.

 

Couture, meanwhile, is the UFC's only three-time champion, having just won his light heavyweight crown on June 6 versus Chuck Liddell -- the man Ortiz was intended to face for the past two years. Speaking to Couture last night after he was on hand to corner two fighters at the King of the Cage, the "Natural" expressed excitement for the September showdown.

 

Ortiz's signing comes at the last minute. Just days earlier MaxFighting reported that Zuffa had called Vitor Belfort to offer him the bout versus Couture. That appears, however, to have been a back-up plan. Following further discussions between Zuffa and Ortiz's people, the "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" apparently signed during the day Sunday. Terms of the deal are not known at this time.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Well it's Wednesday. Has White made a statement regarding any of this?

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

UFC Conference Call News & Notes

 

by Jeff Marek

 

** Zuffa held a conference call this afternoon to announce the signing of a Tito Ortiz vs Randy Couture main event for their September 26th PPV (called “UFC 44: Undisputed”). UFC president Dana White, Ortiz and Couture were all on the call. White said that the show would take place in Las Vegas but said they still don’t have a venue. USA Today’s Danny Sheridan made Ortiz and 8-5 favourite in the fight.

 

Couture said he was the real champ since Ortiz wouldn’t fight the guy who had the number one slot. Ortiz claimed he was never scared to fight Liddell but had a hand injury in April and then had entertainment commitments in June. Ortiz said he’d still be interested in fighting Liddell if the situation warranted it.

 

White said that while Tito was still fighting under the terms of his current deal he did say they made some modifications to get him in the Octagon. When pressed on what those modifications were White refused to respond. White also refused to say at which point he would have stripped Ortiz had he refused to come back to fight. He did say they are still working on a TV deal.

 

Ortiz said he made $10,000 on the Couture/ Liddell fight and that Randy was his wife’s favourite fighter.

 

White said that if Liddell hadn’t lost to Couture that he wouldn’t be in the Pride Grand Prix. White also said he was interested in some pride talent, namely Mirco Cro Cop and Kazushi Sakuraba. Ortiz said he liked Liddell’s chances in the Pride Middleweight Grand Prix.

 

White said that Tim Sylvia would defend his heavyweight title against Gan McGhee on the show and Andre Orlovski would take on Wes “Cabbage” Correira on 26th. White also said that he hasn’t talked with Tank Abbott since last show. Ortiz said Tank was probably drinking.

 

Many of the callers tried to press the fighters into an angle over the “interim” issue but it seemed that neither would take the bait. They’ll need to work up some steam before the fight (a la Ortiz/ Shamrock).

 

We’ll have UFC President Dana White on The L.A.W Radio show Sunday night (in addition to Mick Foley) on Mojo Radio am 640 in Toronto (streamed online at www.mojoradio.com) to talk about the September 26th show and all other issues currently facing the UFC.

 

http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/news/wre...t.asp?aID=17679