Former UFC stars Tito Ortiz, Chael Sonnen finally to meet in cage

By ADAM HILL LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

8 years ago

In this April 27, 2013, file photo, Chael Sonnen is reacts before his UFC 159 Mixed Martial Arts light heavyweight title bout against Jon Jones in Newark, N.J. Ortiz takes on Chael Sonnen on Saturday night, Jan. 21, 2017, in the biggest event ever for Bellator, the mixed martial arts promotion that reaps ratings bonanzas from sporting spectacles featuring over-the-hill stars. (Gregory Payan, File/AP)

Rashad Evans, top, pounds on Chael Sonnen during UFC 167 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 16, 2013. (Jason Bean /Las Vegas Review-Journal)

In this July 7, 2012, file photo, Tito Ortiz gets cools down after his fight with Forrest Griffin at their UFC 148 light heavyweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Ortiz takes on Chael Sonnen on Saturday night, Jan. 21, 2017, in the biggest event ever for Bellator, the mixed martial arts promotion that reaps ratings bonanzas from sporting spectacles featuring over-the-hill stars. (David Becker, File/AP)

LOS ANGELES — When Tito Ortiz reigned atop the mixed martial arts world more than a decade ago, Chael Sonnen just wanted an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

While there’s a lot less on the line at this stage of their careers, Sonnen will finally get a chance to fight Ortiz on Saturday in the main event of Bellator 170 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The card will be televised at 6 p.m. on SpikeTV.

Sonnen spent much of his athletic prime on the regional circuit scratching and clawing for a shot at the big time.

Ortiz was the embodiment of what Sonnen was striving for — a dominant UFC light heavyweight champion who was one of the sport’s earliest superstars.

When Sonnen finally made the UFC, he was able to achieve stardom and had enough success to get three title shots.

He went 0-3 in those fights, and another chance is highly unlikely, particularly since Sonnen was released by the UFC after a second failed drug test and a retirement from the sport in 2014.

The chance to test himself against former legends such as Ortiz and Wanderlei Silva led to Sonnen deciding to return to competition with a six-fight deal with Bellator. He calls the comeback a “legends’ ass-whipping tour.”

Ortiz is first on his list.

“I think Tito’s awesome,” Sonnen, a minus-210 favorite, said Thursday. “I don’t dispute he’s a legend. He belongs in the Hall of Fame, and I don’t dispute any of his world championships.”

“My contention from Day One is I was the baddest dude in the world, and I couldn’t get my opportunity. When I got it, I ran with it, and I’m still here. But I was in the practice room with world champions, and the guys who had the belts will tell you I was whooping their ass on a daily basis and they did everything they could to keep me out of the organization. That’s a reality. I thought I could beat Tito, but I never locked up with him. I don’t know for sure, but I told everybody I could at the time. It took me 20 years to get here, but we’re all going to find out together whether it was true or not.”

That was as complimentary of Ortiz as Sonnen has been during the buildup to the fight. Sonnen’s popularity was largely based on his ability to verbally annihilate his opponents, and he hasn’t lost a step.

Over the course of 45 minutes, Sonnen effortlessly delivered lines questioning Ortiz’s financial stability, mental acumen and even his ability to tell an interesting story.

At one point, Sonnen stunned the room full of reporters at Viacom headquarters in Hollywood with a graphic sexual reference to Ortiz’s former girlfriend and the mother of his children, former porn star Jenna Jameson.

Ortiz struggled to formulate much of a response to Sonnen’s barbs, but insists he will have an answer once the bell rings.

“He talks well,” Ortiz said of Sonnen’s strengths. “His mouth has got him every big fight he’s had, and every time it’s come time to perform, he’s failed. He will again on Saturday night. I come with heart, determination, hard work and perseverance. When I get my hand raised, I’ll know why.

“I’m going to dominate. I expect no less based on the work I’ve put in over the last 14 weeks. He’s said some personal things like me, and he’s lit a fire under me like no other. I’m going to hurt him. I have something to pay back. ”

The 41-year-old Ortiz, who is 2-1 since signing with Bellator and hasn’t fought in more than a year, says he will retire regardless of the outcome.

Sonnen, 39, will be in action for the first time since losing to Rashad Evans in November 2013. Though he and Ortiz are clearly past their prime, Bellator president Scott Coker is thrilled to have them.

“This is a big event. I can say it’s the biggest in the history of this fight company,” Coker said. “We have some great fights from top to bottom, we’ll have great attendance. I can feel the hype is starting to really roll.”

Much of that is based on Sonnen’s ability to sell himself. He says losing some of the ratings records on cable TV that he helped set with the UFC was one motivation for coming back. He thinks he can help carry Bellator to new heights.

There’s also that nagging feeling that he has something left to prove.

He’ll finally get that opportunity Saturday.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-277-8028. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.