After rewatching that third round of Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin again, and watching the post-fight interviews, I remain really uncomfortable with what happened on Saturday night in the main event. What happened seemed as close to MMA veering to pro wrestling as I can remember.
To what degree any of this happened, there's no proof, but if you watch that last round and post-fight interview with this scenario in mind, there's nothing inconsistent. That third round looked to me like a gentleman's agreement - stated or unstated - unfolded where Forrest lightly sparred against Ortiz, with Ortiz firing almost nothing back (until the final few seconds). When he shot in, it was half-hearted and easily fended off. Forrest didn't land any KO power or even seem to be going for a KO. He just wanted to make it 100 percent clear to the judges that that round was his, while almost seeming to understand that Tito was giving him the round in exchange for Forrest not hurting him.
It looked to me like Ortiz decided he didn't mind losing that fight, making the series even at 1-1, and building toward a rematch when he felt better and could enter the fight truly at 100 percent (assuming that ever happens again in his career).
Ortiz ended the second round with a shove that seemed to come out of nowhere, basically manufactured emotion to rile up the crowd. He began the third round like he was foaming at the mouth to get to Forrest. Then when the round began, he just sat back. If his skull was hurt and he couldn't take another punch, don't begin the round with false bravado that can't be backed up.
After the fight, he gave his groan-inducing list of injury excuses that is par for his course despite promising fans before the fight he was 100 percent and ready to decisively beat Forrest. When the crowd booed, he told them two things: (a) at least I showed up (unlike Mark Coleman and the two heavyweights originally scheduled to main event) and (b) I put on a show.
It's that second part that makes Tito bad for UFC and the sport. He keeps talking about "putting on a show." That's what vaudeville, Broadway, the circus, and - yes - pro wrestling is about. UFC is about two fighters "fighting to win." No manufactured animosity that's instantly gone as soon as the fight is over. No false hype about being healthy when you're not. No fake shows of aggression with no follow-up once the horn sounds. UFC fans wants fighters who stay healthier than Tito does during training (or shut up about injuries after losing), actually fight all three rounds, and don't put on fake displays of aggression like shoves and storming past the referee before a round begins, only to phone it in for the next five minutes.
Forrest shouldn't defend that crap, either. He should stand back and let Tito damage the sport, not step up and join in.
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I usually don't like these conspiracy theories, but this one makes a little
sense. Even ignoring the fact that there is a decent money fight for the
rubber match, Forrest needed a win against a named opponent after he was
murdered by Silva. Tito has a decent name, he had the fall back excuse with
the injuries, and he has a big money fight with the outcome. I think there
is just too much to ignore, though I still don't know if I fully believe
this.
greg
23 Nov 2009, 17:38
pro wrestling and mma are one in the same according to meltzer
Rksquire
23 Nov 2009, 18:54
Granted, the 3rd was a shocker from Titos point of view, buts let not give
credence to the growing belief some of these matches are loaded. As for
the 'show', I have no issue. The sport needs it; UFC has borrowed heavily
from the WWE model and it works; we've got to feel something for these
guys, either to love or hate. Dana is all show. It gets people
interested. Hardy is a showman. He alone will make an event of his match
with Georges, and make people either tune in to see if he fulfills his own
hype or gets put in his place. Kosheck 'called hardy out' after his own
(suspicious!) match. All show baby!
NotVinnieJones
23 Nov 2009, 19:19
Maybe it was being purposely played "pro-wrestling"-style, maybe not. It
doesn't matter to me. On one side we have Tito Ortiz, a guy who hasn't won
a fight in over 3 years, and that win was against Ken Shamrock. On the
other side, we have Forrest Griffin, who's career looks like its on its
decline because his fighting style is starting to look like a throwback
compared to what the current champ and up-and-comers have to offer.
So, like I said, it doesn't matter to me because I really have no interest
in watching these two fight again. Tito is now acting like what he has
brought to the sport in the past should have been enough contribution to
give him the decision this past Saturday night. If he's not talking about
that, then he's whining and making excuses about the loss. Forrest, on the
other hand, has seemed out-of-sorts and punchy during interviews lately.
I don't need to see either of these two being part of any UFC main event
anymore, much less fighting each other.
John
23 Nov 2009, 19:42
I wonder why Tito's "cracked skull" doesn't lead to a medical suspension.
