Tito Ortiz got his revenge on longtime nemesis, Chuck Lidell, stopping the 48-year-old via brutal knockout right in the very first round. After that, “The Huntington Beach Bady Boy” announced his retirement, revealing that he was done and there was no one else he wanted to the fight.
Instead, the 43-year-old mixed martial artist prefers to help the sport as a promoter, the Bloody Elbow said. With his recent success, it serves as an example of what other fighters should do moving forward.
If the fight is indeed the end, it was a fitting one for Ortiz after losing twice in the past. Ortiz lost via KO at UFC 47 back in Apr. 2, 2004 and then via TKO at UFC 66 on Dec. 30, 2006. That lingering thought of leveling the score with the “Iceman” is in the air although feasible if both were still at a ripe age.
It has been an emotional ride for Ortiz in the MMA world, something that he touched on during the post-fight press conference. He has gone through it all and right now he feels that the best way to stay with the sport is to help mold aspiring fighters reach their full potential and success inside the cage, MMA Fighting said.
And while Ortiz seems to have decided his future, the same cannot be said for Lidell. Despite the brutal loss, the 48-year-old doesn’t seem to be ready to call it a career – at least not yet.
“I mean, I’m not in the right state of mind to really talk about whether or not I’m done or not. But I felt good out there and I had fun, so we’ll see.”
Prior to the third meeting with Ortiz, Lidell last fought at UFC 115 on June 12, 2010. He lost via KO to Rich Franklin at the time. Even before that, he also suffered a couple of defeats. He fell to Mauricio Rua (TKO) at UFC 97 on Apr. 18, 2009 and also to Rashad Evans (KO) at UFC 88 on Sept. 6, 2008.
His last win was way back on Dec. 29, 2007 when he hacked out a unanimous decision win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79. It was the only win he has had in his last seven fights.
If he does go on to fight, Lidell made it clear that he is moving forward because he loves to fight. He is not in it for the money although he may need to reconsider – especially because of his age.
It remains to be seen if there will be any fighter willing to face Lidell. But if there is an opponent waiting in the wings, the 8th Dan blackbelt will have his work cut out for him, not to mention the risk of incurring more serious injuries.
