Why is Tito Ortiz trying to spark up a feud with Jon Jones now?
Tito Ortiz is on Brendan Schaub’s Mount Rushmore of MMA, and if he isn’t on yours as well, you’ve got it wrong. Legend, trailblazer, trendsetter, superstar are all terms that get bandied around too often these days, but they all can be used to describe Ortiz.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion was one of the first fighters to fully utilise the power of self-promotion and he wasn’t bad at fighting either. His five title defences and wins over Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Forrest Griffin and Ryan Bader are a testament to that.
He called time on his storied career with his first round submission victory over Chael Sonnen at Bellator 170, but right before his swansong performance, he took a few shots at arguably the greatest fighter to ever grace an Octagon – Jon Jones.
Always with the 'F' word #Bellator170 https://t.co/QbKAbFvQ8Z
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 22, 2017
During an interview with FightHype to promote his headliner against the American Gangster, Ortiz tried his utmost to antagonise Jones, who’s currently serving a suspension for his drug test failure at UFC 200.
“I’ve had this weight class since, gosh… 2001 when the UFC made this weight class for me. They made this weight class because of me. I was the first light heavyweight champion. I was the longest-reigning light heavyweight champion until Jon Jones.”
Jones went on an incredible run of beating a host of former UFC champions including Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort and the only blemish on his record being a DQ against Matt Hamill as a result of the antiquated 12-6 elbow rule. His eight successful title defences are the most in the division’s history and his 13-fight win-streak is also a record. Despite all this, Ortiz doesn’t see him as a legend.
“He says he is the greatest, he was never the greatest. He’s never done anything. He says he calls himself a legend. What kind of legendary stuff has he ever done – nothing.”
“People call me a legend, I don’t need to call myself a legend because I’ve done legendary stuff in my career. I’ve set the bar. I set the stage for every one of these MMA guys – Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor… myself.”
It was an odd call-out that came at such an usual time that it even caught Jones off guard. However, when he was informed by one of his Twitter followers about the comments, he didn’t hesitate to fire back at the man who’s 13 years his senior.
No clue, but I guarantee he would bow down if given the opportunity to face me. https://t.co/PDkua7IGvv
— BONY (@JonnyBones) January 23, 2017
If Ortiz wants to settle the beef with some combat, Jones is more than willing to oblige. He offered Ortiz a Jiu-Jitsu match under the FloGrappling banner, if the Huntington Beach Bad Boy wants to make some moolah in the process.
That man better enjoy his JV victory&stay in his lane, I'd make him look like a white belt. @FloGrappling set it up https://t.co/n68gbYlZrE
— BONY (@JonnyBones) January 23, 2017
