Ortiz (photo) will have his first fight outside the UFC since 1998. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
After almost two years away from MMA, Tito Ortiz is back in action. The former UFC champion will face Alexander Shlemenko at Bellator 120, which will take place on May 17 in Southaven, in the US state of Mississippi.
It will be Ortiz's first fight outside the UFC since 1998, with all other fights taking place inside the Octagon. The news made Ortiz approach the opportunity with a different mindset. “I was kind of reborn. My training was really, really fun. I'm having fun again in the gym, I'm killing myself every day and I'm able to do it again every morning”, said the 39-year-old fighter to the North American website “MMA Fighting”. “What motivates me are my children. Being a single father with twin boys. This is very, very difficult, but it motivates me to train. Shlemenko is a tough champion, I'll have work to do, but let's see if he can handle the ferocity that Tito Ortiz will lead to cage. "
Even though he is one of the biggest names in the history of the light heavyweight category, Ortiz is not considered the favorite for the fight. Shlemenko, current Bellator middleweight champion, hasn't known what it's like to lose since 2010. This scenario makes Ortiz even more motivated for the fight. “I'm the complete underdog for this fight. Some sites say I have a 7% chance of winning. I love it when I’m pressed against the wall,” said the American.
Bellator 120 will be the organization's first to be broadcast on pay-per-view in the United States. In the main fight of the night, Quinton Rampage Jackson faces King mo, while, in the second most important fight of the event, Michael chandler and Will Brooks duel for the interim lightweight title.
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