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MMATorch Interview: Tito Ortiz on headlining Bellator 131, making a statement against Stephan Bonnar
Nov 14, 2014 - 2:45:08 PM
MMATorch Interview: Tito Ortiz on headlining Bellator 131, making a statement against Stephan Bonnar
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By Alvin Benjamin Carter III, MMA Torch Specialist

Bellator 131 is a stacked card with a main event made for the movies. Many in the mixed martial arts media have been critical of Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar, but the reality is the fight is happening, and people will watch.

Ortiz began his career at UFC 13 back before the rules were unified. Now he is a veteran with legendary rivalries and trilogies that have kept him relevant during a retirement and his recent resurgence. His win over Alexander Shlemenko got people talking, and his next fight with Stephan Bonnar has people wondering what is real and what is hype. I caught up with Ortiz to talk about his Bellator 131 main event, and I can assure you that his level of focus is real.

Alvin Carter: How does it feel to be back in the win column, and to be the main event?

Tito Ortiz: Great! I put a lot of time and hard work in. I know I have the skills. We all have the skills (because we are athletes), but I push it. I have the confidence, and I believe in myself.

Carter: I was at the venue the night Stephan Bonnar pulled that stunt. All hype aside, what was really going through your mind as it was unfolding?

Ortiz: It was all building up, and it was the wrong time and with the wrong guy. Really, I saw a fake guy. He was actually supposed to be my warm up fight. I actually set up his signing with Bellator. We did not fight in the UFC, and when I signed with Bellator I was trying to get him to sign, and boom.

Carter: Wow. So it was a setup of sorts. Speaking of that, there has been mention of a mole in his training camp. Can you elaborate?

Ortiz: Everything happens for a reason. Paul Herrera knows everything about me, but I know what Bonnar knows about me and what he can and cannot do. I am a big fan of The Art of War. Maybe it is true that there is a mole in there, maybe it is not. That is for Bonnar to worry about.

Carter: Have you received any criticism for holding the headlining spot over a title fight at Bellator 131?

Ortiz: A little bit, but not really. Tito Ortiz has been selling for 17 years. Proof is in the pudding. Look at the last PPV. Buys were good, but not great. No offense to Chandler and Brooks, none at all, but Rampage and Ortiz have name recognition. Scott Coker is smart, and he knows what he is doing.

Carter: How do you see the fight playing out? Are you going to try to make Bonnar pay? Or are you going to try and make it a quick fight?

Ortiz: I am going to try to make him pay, make a statement. I will take what comes, and if it is an easy night, great. I am prepared. I did my sparring and wrestling. I trained for more and longer rounds. My heart rate gets up to 190 beats per minute and back to 100 after a minute of rest. I can get it down to 130 beats per minute in 30 seconds. My resting heart rate is 38. I am confident. Everything is right now. My home is right. I was having some problems with the relationship thing, but that is better. I am ready and confident.

Carter: Not looking past Bonnar, should you win, what is next? Will you ask for a title shot?

Ortiz: Saturday's performance will tell. Then we can look at [the] world title.

I would like to thank Tito Ortiz for such a candid interview. Make sure to follow him at @TitoOrtiz on Twitter, and please follow me @awwwsnap on Twitter as well. Bellator 131 comes to you live on November 15, 2014 from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA at 9/8C on Spike TV.


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