Ortiz vs. Couture Signed; UFC Light Heavyweight Title to be Unified in September

[The Ensanity]

Too bad it aint going to happen

[lightweight]

Why?

[Zen]

Originally posted by The Ensanity
Too bad it aint going to happen

Stolen from Sherdog

UFC 44: Undisputed Announced
Couture vs Ortiz, McGee vs Sylvia, Cabbage vs Arlovski
7-2-2003 12:50 PM PST

Zuffa held a conference call today, and announced that Randy Couture would face Tito Ortiz for the Undisputed UFC Light Heavyweight title, taking place September 26 in Las Vegas. USA Today lists Ortiz as an 8:5 favorite.


Also on the card, Gan McGee is challenging Tim Sylvia for the Heavyweight title on the same card, and "Cabbage" Correira is facing Andre Arlovski.

Contract Status??
Dana White: "Ortiz has the same contract as before...with some modifications."
Randy Couture: Doesn't know about the exact terms of his contract, it's been a while since he signed it.

Injuries?
Tito Ortiz: "I have no injuries, at all."

Current Light Heavyweight Champion?
Dana White: "...The Light Heavyweight Champion, Randy Couture..."
Randy Couture: "I fought the guy Tito wouldn't fight, I am the Light Heavyweight Champion."
Tito Ortiz: "I've still got the belt, and it still has my name on it."

Tito's Feeling on the Interim Title?
Tito Ortiz: "I feel disrespected that the UFC created the interim title. I feel like I'm the challenger now, but that's OK - I like feeling like the underdog."

Strip Tito if he hadn't signed?
Dana White: "It's a non-issue. He signed, and is going to fight."

Interest in PRIDE Fighters?
Dana White: Interested in Cro-Cop, Sakuraba, and others.

PRIDE Grand Prix?
Dana White: Had Liddell won, he would not have gone.
Couture: "I would probably have gone had I lost."

Ricco Rodriguez?
Dana White: Definately in the November show.

Tito's Suspect Chin?
Tito Ortiz: "I don't have a suspect chin. I've never been knocked out in practice, or a fight. I have great recovery time."

Restructuring UFC
Dana White: Anticipating a TV deal, will do more ".5" shows.

Tank Abbott a failure?
Dana White: "He was not a failure, he sold out the New Jersey (UFC 41) show."
Tito Ortiz: "Ricco Rodriguez had a lot to do with that show, he's from Long Island."
Dana White: [laughing] - "Yeah, Ricco was the reason we sold the show out."

State of the 185 lb Weight Class?
Dana White: "We'll make an announcement at the September show."

[Curly Howard]

State of the 155 lb weight class?
Dana White: We have a 155 lb weight class?????

[Bluecifer]

I wish there was than just one big show in town. The state of the UFC makes me sad. At least the Grand Prix is almost here!!!

[Zen]

At least it's a step in the right direction. They're gonna have fights for 2 of there 3 current titles. Now if they could just get LW and MW champs they'd be doing alright.

[The Ensanity]

Dana White: [laughing] - "Yeah, Ricco was the reason we sold the show out."---->sarcasm

[Lei Tong]

Originally posted by lightweight
Randy has more heart then Tito, I CAN guarantee that...

I can also garauntee he has more heart and a better chin than Ricco.

[Big_Papa]

I think Chuck had to be sick that day or something, he just wasn't chuck. I don't know who would win between Tito and Randy, but I would still love to see Tito vs Chuck.

[Rock Dog]

Originally posted by The Ensanity
i just dont know yet...

I agree w/ you man. I said I' never cheer against Tito after his fight w/ Vlad, then came Shamrock and I gave him the edge for all the same reasons I'm giving Couture, but we all saw what happened there. Easily one of Tito's best performances. Randy has much bettr cardio and sufficiently better boxing skills. He s on of the most dominant UFC and MMA champs ever. Still is Tito a bad macth up for him? Will Tito learn howto neutralize his attacks nd put him on is back. Ricco and Barnett were much larger than Couture when they gassed him and got him on his back, but niether are as good a wrestler as Tito, and Tito's cardio is top notch. I'm guessing Randy can take this, but Tito will be very game.