Former UFC light heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz has finally opened up about his failed 2016 boxing match with UFC CEO Dana White.
Ortiz appeared on the Overdogs Podcast with former UFC fighter and current BKFC star Mike Perry to discuss a variety of topics, including his tumultuous relationship with White. To this day, the relationship between the two has never been fully repaired. According to Ortiz, White, 54, agreed to fight the then-UFC megastar, but it was on his terms. Ortiz claimed White never agreed to the terms of the original contract, something White has denied in interviews over the years.
Ortiz said the fight never happened due to a mismatch in business practices, but the former champion has since moved past that.
Fans react to Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler being removed from UFC 303 card
“This was never going to happen because Dana said she couldn’t fulfill the contract we had previously agreed to. [run] From this income.”
“And I agreed to it. They [the UFC] I contacted Spike TV and they said, “No, we're not going to make any money off this.” I said, “Yeah, but what about sponsors?” and he said, “That's another story.” [White was] They didn't think I understood the business model, because I did understand the business model, and that's why they tried to cancel me.”
Ortiz said he has no ill will towards anyone at UFC and is fully aware that UFC needs to run its business a certain way in order to be successful. It's safe to assume that the relationship between White, UFC and Ortiz will never be on good terms again, but only time will tell.
Conor McGregor News: UFC star issues statement after pulling out of UFC 303
For more daily coverage of UFC, MMA, WWE and AEW, tune into MMA Knockout.
Follow MMA Knockouts twitterInstagram and Facebook.
