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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.
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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