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Despite loss, fighter Tito Ortiz far from retirement

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By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer 11:05 PM Sunday, November 22, 2009

LAS VEGAS — Whether they admit it or not, Tito Ortiz is a big reason most fans found the sport of mixed martial arts.

Whether it’s real adoration or just loving to hate the 34-year-old fighter, Ortiz has remained one of the biggest stars in MMA for more than a decade.

This past Saturday, Nov. 21, after an 18-month layoff due to spinal-fusion surgery and a squabble with UFC management, Ortiz returned to the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and dropped a close and somewhat controversial split decision to fellow ex-champ Forrest Griffin (via scores of 29-28, 30-27, 28-29) at UFC 106.

While most fighters wrap up their careers in their mid- to late-30s, Ortiz said he feels like he’s just starting a new — and healthier — chapter of his.

“I’m far from being over,” Ortiz said after the fight, which he thought he won two rounds to one. “You don’t understand. I’m 34 years old. I just want to get back in the gym after having that long layoff.”

Ortiz fought two competitive rounds but gassed and took considerable punishment in the third. Ortiz thinks his quick return from the surgery may have played a part in the late-fight collapse.

“I think I might’ve overstepped my boundaries by coming back too quickly,” Ortiz said. “After back surgery and (fighting again) after just one year, I want to see another athlete do what I did after one year.”

Ortiz hopes to return in early 2010 or coach the upcoming season of the UFC’s reality series, “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Cincinnati’s Dent  loses latest bout in UFC

Following a lightweight semifinal finish on the ninth season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Jason Dent barely survived in the UFC by scoring a come-from-behind victory over fellow cast member Cameron Dollar in June.

The Cincinnati-based fighter, who now fights out of Mentor, couldn’t repeat his luck at UFC 106.

Dent fought in the UFC from 2006 to 2007 (and went 0-2), and following the UFC 106 submission loss to George Sotiropoulos, the second contract he earned after “TUF” could now be in jeopardy.

Outside the UFC, Dent has posted a respectable 18-7 record in a variety of organizations, most in Ohio.

Herschel Walker  to make MMA debut

After announcing the signing of legendary NFL running back Herschel Walker in September, Strikeforce now has a debut date for the 47-year-old aspiring fighter.

Walker will make his debut at the organization’s recently-announced Jan. 30 show in Sunrise, Fla. No opponent has been determined, but Walker is promised a slot on the night’s Showtime broadcast.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, the 2009 World MMA Awards winner for best media

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Strikeforce is killing the sport of MMA. Every step Dana takes toward legitimizing the sport, Strikeforce sends back 2 steps by signing guys like Herschel Walker. In Japan, personalities sell, in the USA ability is what matters.

mma
12:05 PM, 11/23/2009

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