Tito Ortiz signs with Bellator, meets 'Rampage' Jackson on pay-per-view Nov. 2
It had all the makings of a pro wrestling callout, but regardless of what it looked like, Tito Ortiz (16-11-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) has returned from retirement – and will fight Quinton Jackson (32-11 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) for Bellator MMA in November on the promotion's first pay-per-view event.
Bellator teased a special announcement from "Rampage" during Bellator 97, its "Summer Series" finale on Wednesday night in New Mexico. With boxer Roy Jones Jr. cageside, many anticipated it would be an announcement that Jackson would meet Jones in a boxing match on pay-per-view.
But Jackson pulled a surprise.
"I'm happy to be back here on Spike TV. I'm training hard, man. I'm back motivated and I found my love for MMA again. Now I'm with a reputable company that knows how to treat his fighters. It's on," Jackson said. "I'm down to fight Roy. I'm a big fan of his. I'm a big fan of that man. He's one of the best boxers of his time. But for my first fight in Bellator, I want it to be an MMA fight – and I'm going to be fighting this man coming out right now."
And with that, Ortiz's walkout music began playing. He was shown in silhouette with his trademark walkout flag over his shoulder, and he made the walk down the ramp to the cage – the first official announcement that he had signed with Bellator.
The two will meet on Nov. 2 at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, Calif., as the main event of what is expected to be Bellator 105. A pay-per-view price point has not yet been announced by the company. Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday. The event will take place on a Saturday night – and it should be noted that Bellator's chief rival, the UFC, does not currently have an event scheduled for the same day.
Ortiz had been retired after his most recent fight, a loss to Forrest Griffin a little more than a year ago at UFC 148. That same weekend, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
But lately, Ortiz has been teasing a possible comeback on Twitter. And despite six losses in his past seven fights, and just 2-7-1 in his past 10, all in the UFC, the former light heavyweight champion will return for Bellator and meet Jackson, also a former UFC light heavyweight champ – and a longtime friend and sometimes training partner.
"I fought the best of the best in the world," Ortiz said. "I've been fighting for a long, long time. We've been friends with each other, but it's time to put the friendship aside and it's time to give the fans what they want here in Bellator."
Jackson gave one final plug before the two stared each other down in the cage: "I know it's going to be one of the best fights in history," "Rampage" said.
MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com) first reported that Jackson was being targeted for a pay-per-view boxing match against Jones later this year. And that still may happen. But the fight against Ortiz will happen first.
