Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ Ortiz (16–8–1) is seeing a resurgence in his career after winning his first fight in almost five years by submitting Ryan Bader at UFC 132.
Still riding that wave of energy, Ortiz is set to re-match Rashad Evans this Saturday, Aug. 6, in the main event of UFC 133 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ortiz steps in as a late replacement for an injured Phil Davis in the bout.
UFC President Dana White has already noted that a win for ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ could put him back “in the mix” for UFC gold, while a loss would have no effect on his standing with the promotion.
Ortiz recently talked about why he took the fight with Evans, noting that he wanted to ride the current wave of energy pushing him forward in the gym after securing his latest victory.
“After I beat Bader, I was on top of the world, I felt… ”Ortiz and Evans fought for the first time back in July 2007 at UFC 73. The bout ended in a draw after Ortiz lost a point for holding on to the fence.
“When I got back in the gym, I had the hunger again,” Ortiz said. “When I was trying to find the energy to fulfill things, (coaches) would be like, ‘Tito, you remember what it felt like to win?’ And all of a sudden I’d have balls of energy in my body. I’d feel that influence and reinforcement of knowing, ‘God, that did feel good to win.’ ”
“It’s just one of those things that I’m riding on the success. I’m riding on something positive and it’s motivation knowing that I have the heart, the will, the mind and the body to compete against the best guys in the world.”
Quote: LasVegasSun.com
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