, it was Ortiz, Liddell and Couture that gave the company legs and propelled it into the present. It was those three names that made ordinary shows into events, that sucked media into their gravitational pulls, that made MMA matter.
They will always be linked together, but Ortiz hopes there is one distinct difference. Liddell and Couture are both retired now, having said good-bye to the sport in just the last six months, but Ortiz fights on with the hope of extending a career that has been stuck in neutral for some time.
's biggest drawing card, Ortiz was asked by the UFC brass to retire after his most recent loss, a defeat which extended his winless streak to five matches over four years.
He's now 36. During the intervening years, Ortiz was slowed down by neck and back injuries that robbed him of the explosiveness that made his double-leg takedown one of the signature moves of early UFC fights in the Zuffa era. Despite his own self-promotion and constant proclamations that he's healthy, when it comes time to fight, Ortiz has been a gunslinger without his favorite weapon.
The trouble with proclaiming his career over, which many have, is that his skills haven't significantly deteriorated; they're simply not as sharp. He's like a once-great but aging running back who can anticipate the hole in the line of scrimmage but can't get to it as quickly as he used to. He's like a fireball pitcher who lost a few miles per hour on his fastball. He knows what he's doing, he's got skills and smarts to stay competitive, but when it becomes a game of reaction and speed, he can't make up the time. Whether that's because of the physical issues that have mounted over the years, or simply the grind of the sport speeding up his clock, Ortiz is simply not the same athlete he once was, and that doesn't make him any different than most 36-year-olds. But when you're trying to compete with kids, the loss of a split-second in reaction time or explosion is often the difference between victory and defeat.
To keep his job, he must win Saturday night. A loss will be the end of his UFC career, one that has spanned over 14 years. Aside from a single 16-second fight that occurred outside of the UFC's Octagon, Ortiz has spent his entire pro run with the promotion. His bout with Bader will mark his 24th fight in the UFC, tying Couture and Matt Hughes for the most all-time. If you're wondering, Liddell is just one behind them with 23.
You can say that Ortiz is part of a dying breed, but in reality, he's the very last one. Vitor Belfort was in the UFC before Ortiz, but he never had the mainstream impact Ortiz could boast, and Hughes came after Zuffa bought the company.
He was at times a lightning rod, a box-office phenom, a Dana White punching bag, and a one-man soap opera. Now, he's a rarity in sports: a high-paid underdog story. But whatever he was, people always cared. And whatever he will be after Saturday, whether he lives to fight another day or is cut and calls it quits, there is one other thing he can say he was: for a moment in time, Ortiz was the best.
Thirty-six is not old, but it's not so young, either. Chuck and Randy are gone, and now it appears time is coming for Tito, too. Memories of the past and a history of importance to the UFC can no longer save him. On Saturday, it's win or go home. If he loses, remarkably, that would mean that the UFC's big three were gone within six months of each other. It would be an ending that is equally fitting and sad, the early power trio going out like dominos in a poetic goodbye.
Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz signs autographs during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber Fan Art
A fan's artwork for Urijah Faber at the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber
Urijah Faber hits pads with his trainer during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber
Urijah Faber hits pads with his trainer during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber
Urijah Faber hits pads with his trainer during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber
Urijah Faber hits pads with his trainer during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber
Urijah Faber hits pads with his trainer during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber
Urijah Faber hits pads with his trainer during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber
Urijah Faber puts his gloves on for the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Shane Roller
Shane Roller demonstrates a rear-naked choke during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Urijah Faber
Urijah Faber shadowboxes during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Chris Leben
Chris Leben practices a chokehold during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Chris Leben
Chris Leben kicks the pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Shane Roller
Shane Roller shadowboxes during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Shane Roller
Shane Roller shadowboxes during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Chris Leben
Chris Leben gets his hands wrapped during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit works up a sweat during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit hits the pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit hits the pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz hits the pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz works out at the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz hits the pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit in attendance for the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit stretches out during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz shadowboxes during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit wraps his hands during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Melvin Guillard
Melvin Guillard enjoys himself during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Melvin Guillard
Melvin Guillard throws a knee during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Melvin Guillard
Melvin Guillard throws a knee during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Melvin Guillard
Melvin Guillard throws a knee during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva participates in the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva in attendance at the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Melvin Guillard
Melvin Guillard hits pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva hits the pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva hits the pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva warms up his wrists during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva practices a choke during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz speaks to the press during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz warms up during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz warms up during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz warms up during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Dong Hyun Kim
Dong Hyun Kim practices an armbar during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Dong Hyun Kim
Dong Hyun Kim participates in the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader hits pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz defends a takedown during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader gets ready to hit pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader hits pads during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader wraps his hands during the UFC 132 open workouts on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.