UFC 148: Tito Ortiz loses final fight of career to Forrest Griffin
Tito Ortiz, left, and Forrest Griffin battle it out during their UFC 148 light heavyweight fight. (July 7, 2012) Credit: AP
Tito Ortiz wasn't exactly sure what to do when he walked toward the cage in the center of the MGM Grand Garden Arena for UFC 148 on Saturday night.
“I don’t know how to experience it,” Ortiz told Newsday, referring to what is supposed to be the last of his 28 fights over 15 years in the UFC. “Listen to my walkout music, take my time and indulge myself and take it all in.”
Several hours after being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, Ortiz walked toward the cage with a mask reminiscent of Russell Crowe's in "Gladiator." When the referee Steve Mazzagatti signaled the start of the fight, Ortiz came out ready. He scored an early takedown of Forrest Griffin and another one at the end of the first round.
Ortiz added a knockdown and takedown in the second round and again in the third round. But in between, Griffin landed significant strike after signifcant strike and won a unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 29-28 for Griffin (19-7).
"That second knockdown was a legit knockdown," Griffin said. "I was lost a second."
Ortiz (16-11-1) just didn't have enough to prevent Griffin from landing so many strikes, including 70 percent of his leg kicks. Instead, Ortiz walks away from the octagon for the final time. A former champion and advocate for the sport of mixed martial arts, Ortiz's legacy goes far beyond his recent fights.
“Every one of my fights, 28 fights, I think I made the fans happy,” Ortiz said. “I did my job well.”
