Tito Ortiz advised Cyborg Santos to turn down Ronda Rousey fight

[VCURamFan]

From MMAFighting.com:

SEATTLE -- UFC President Dana White's lips curled in amusement as an old antagonist somehow found a way back into his life.

"That's the fight that should be happening," White bristled, referring to Ronda Rousey's elusive superfight against Cris "Cyborg" Santos. "Tito Ortiz is her manager, and (he) advised her against it."

Ortiz and White have a lengthy and tumultuous history together, though this time the dynamics have changed. Following retirement, Ortiz founded the management firm Primetime 360, where he adopted Santos as one of his first clients.

Santos, the former 145-pound Strikeforce champion, has long refused to drop down to the bantamweight division, citing potential health problems with losing so much weight. In recent days, however, "Cyborg" has changed her tune, saying she would attempt to make the cut.

"I wasn't the least bit surprised," said Rousey. "I know she can make 135, and so does she. It just takes her a little while to realize that this is the only option she has. And it took her a little bit longer because I don't think she's that bright.

"It's going to happen eventually. I can't make these girls fight me when I want them to fight me. I've got a lot of respect for Liz (Carmouche). She's the only one that stepped up and said she wanted this fight right now."

According to both Rousey and White, not only did "Cyborg" turn down the spot opposite Rousey in the UFC's inaugural women's title fight, top contenders Sara McMann and Miesha Tate rejected the bout as well.

"I deal in the behind-the-scenes everyday, and what people say publicly and what they say behind-the-scenes are two different things," White explained. "I didn't know the McMann girl had been calling her out and saying that Ronda was ducking her. I made some phone calls with people and people were like, ‘Eh, I'd like to get a fight under my belt before I take that one.'

"Believe me, people aren't kicking the doors down to fight her."

For Rousey, there's little she can do but accept the fights offered to her. Though her rivals' insistence on fighting with words more than actions is starting to test her patience.

"These girls talk up a really big game, but they don't really want to come into the cage and fight me. So, I'm here. I've got this. If they want it, they know where I'm at."

[kevint13]

I don't see what the big deal is with Tito telling her to turn down the fight, I think it is smart to hold off a little. PED's or not, she will still have to cut weight and who knows how that cut will go. I think it is smart for her to try a trial cut and see.

Meisha stated that she was not offered the fight. And Sara, she is coming off an injury and doesn't feel ready yet. She is not well known and once she gets more recognized, they can then build the fight up as Olympic medalists against each other. Also, I don't see Sara as being the one to talk trash and call out Ronda....she has been pretty quiet and wanting to build herself more. I think this is just Ronda causing trouble.

This is all just the media looking for a story. The bigger question is, do you think Rousey/Carmouche is worthy of a UFC main event and a PPV? This fight is supposed to be in LA and I considered going until I found this to be the main event. Sorry, but not paying UFC ticket prices for this main event.

[County Mike]

I don't care if it's the main event as long as there are plenty of other good fights to carry the card.

[VCURamFan]

Originally Posted by kevint13

I don't see what the big deal is with Tito telling her to turn down the fight, I think it is smart to hold off a little. PED's or not, she will still have to cut weight and who knows how that cut will go. I think it is smart for her to try a trial cut and see.

Meisha stated that she was not offered the fight. And Sara, she is coming off an injury and doesn't feel ready yet. She is not well known and once she gets more recognized, they can then build the fight up as Olympic medalists against each other. Also, I don't see Sara as being the one to talk trash and call out Ronda....she has been pretty quiet and wanting to build herself more. I think this is just Ronda causing trouble.

This is all just the media looking for a story. The bigger question is, do you think Rousey/Carmouche is worthy of a UFC main event and a PPV? This fight is supposed to be in LA and I considered going until I found this to be the main event. Sorry, but not paying UFC ticket prices for this main event.

Rousey/Carmouche? Maybe, maybe not. First Women's Title Fight in UFC History? Absolutely.

And I agree with Mike, when I am looking at nearby UFCs & considering whether or not to go, I rarely base my decision solely on the main event, especially with the injury bug recently.

[kevint13]

Originally Posted by VCURamFan

Rousey/Carmouche? Maybe, maybe not. First Women's Title Fight in UFC History? Absolutely.

And I agree with Mike, when I am looking at nearby UFCs & considering whether or not to go, I rarely base my decision solely on the main event, especially with the injury bug recently.

Maybe, maybe not? How many people do you think know who Liz Carmouche is? I am guessing not many, hence why this should not be a main event for a PPV. I have only seen her fight twice!

I just think that this is a bad fight to try and market as a main event. I look at this as a fight that will not last more than 3 minutes. Right now Hendo/Machida and Faber/Menjivar are also scheduled to fight on that card. If you lived close to LA, the better option would be to go to Vegas and go to UFC 156. Ticket prices are going to be basically the same and you will get a much better card and main event.

UFC 156:
-Jose Aldo (21-1; #1 Featherweight) vs. Frankie Edgar (14-3-1)
-Alistair Overeem (36-11) vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (17-4; #9 Heavyweight)
-Rashad Evans (17-2-1; #2 Light Heavyweight) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5)
-Jon Fitch (24-4-1; #6 Welterweight) vs. Demian Maia (17-4)
-Joseph Benavidez (16-3; #2 Flyweight) vs. Ian McCall (11-3-1; #4 Flyweight)
-Evan Dunham (13-3) vs. Gleison Tibau (26-8)
-Erick Silva (14-3) vs. Jay Hieron (23-6)

[rearnakedchoke]

Originally Posted by kevint13

I don't see what the big deal is with Tito telling her to turn down the fight, I think it is smart to hold off a little. PED's or not, she will still have to cut weight and who knows how that cut will go. I think it is smart for her to try a trial cut and see.

Meisha stated that she was not offered the fight. And Sara, she is coming off an injury and doesn't feel ready yet. She is not well known and once she gets more recognized, they can then build the fight up as Olympic medalists against each other. Also, I don't see Sara as being the one to talk trash and call out Ronda....she has been pretty quiet and wanting to build herself more. I think this is just Ronda causing trouble.

This is all just the media looking for a story. The bigger question is, do you think Rousey/Carmouche is worthy of a UFC main event and a PPV? This fight is supposed to be in LA and I considered going until I found this to be the main event. Sorry, but not paying UFC ticket prices for this main event.

it doesn't matter .. Dana is in love .. and you can't talk sense into a man who is in love like he is .... its actually quite creepy ... i am sure dana wants to make money too, but if cyborg was on top and killing people, he wouldn't be out there drooling over her like he is rhonda ...

if cyborg fights rhonda, it will be the end of womens mma in the ufc .. she killed it once, when she beat gina ... she'll do it again ..

[CAVEMAN1]

I still can't believe Tito is managing fighters!

[kevint13]

Originally Posted by rearnakedchoke

it doesn't matter .. Dana is in love .. and you can't talk sense into a man who is in love like he is .... its actually quite creepy ... i am sure dana wants to make money too, but if cyborg was on top and killing people, he wouldn't be out there drooling over her like he is rhonda ...

if cyborg fights rhonda, it will be the end of womens mma in the ufc .. she killed it once, when she beat gina ... she'll do it again ..

I fully agree with everything that you said.

[BradW]

Originally Posted by kevint13

I fully agree with everything that you said.

i dont.

but i dont want to talk about it.

[Bonnie]

Originally Posted by BradW

i dont.

but i dont want to talk about it.