Tito Ortiz Signs with Affliction

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz has signed with Affliction, according to Sports Illustrated.

“I guarantee you that my contract will be like no other. It will be a ground-breaking record contract for sure, without a doubt,” Ortiz told Sports Illustrated. “There’s so much money to be made right now in mixed martial arts and it’s all about the fighters trying to make that money. It’s going to be a long-term deal where I put my heart and soul into the company and help build them. That’s something I’m interested in doing. They’re going to bring me on, not just as a fighter but also doing some of the back work also.”

“[The UFC] have the right to match the offer, so I’ll be getting a deal that no other fighter has ever gotten. It’s going to be some ground-breaking news for sure,” Ortiz continued. “I’m going to a company that’s going to take care of me, a company that’s going to respect me, a company that’s going to put me in the forefront and make me the ambassador that I’ve always been. I think Mr. Trump respects me at that value to get it. My heart’s not with the UFC anymore because of how bad they treated me. They don’t respect me and they don’t see me as a businessman. All they think is that I’m a punk fighter that’s going to fold, and I’ve already proven that I’m not going to fold to anything by not resigning with them.”

According to the report Ortiz officially became a free agent on Monday and finalized his deal with Affliction during a Tuesday meeting with Donald Trump.

The signing is likely to be officially announced later today at a press conference for Affliction’s October 11th pay-per-view event in Las Vegas, Affliction: Day of Reckoning, which will feature Ortiz’s promotional debut against former UFC contender Renato "Babalu" Sobral. Former UFC heavyweight champions Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski will meet in the “Day of Reckoning” main event.

Jay White vs. Roy Nelson, Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and Matt Lindland vs. Vitor Belfort are also expected to take place at Affliction’s second event.

“Babalu has been in my crosshairs,” Ortiz said to Sports Illustrated. “He’s already been talking smack, saying if he sees me he’s going to kick my a**, but right on if he keeps thinking that. He’ll get his face caved in sooner or later. I know Frank Shamrock is another person who’s been opening up his mouth. He beat me the last time we fought and I think that would be a great revenge fight where I kick his ass and finally shut him up. As time goes we’ll see who Affliction signs besides me. I don’t know. I might even go up to heavyweight if the bigger pay days are there.”

Source: www.mmafrenzy.com