Tito Ortiz Earns $525,000 and Respect at UFC 132 But Not Silence From Critics
Categories: Sports
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| Ortiz |
The "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" also took home at least $525,000, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
By contrast, Ortiz's opponent, Ryan "Darth" Bader, earned $20,000.
Ortiz's total take is not known because the UFC does not release the amount of its bonuses paid to fighters.
But you'd think that his winning his first bout in the octagon in five years, achieving his first victory by submission in 11 years, and doing so decisively after being given the win-or-retire ultimatum from UFC President Dana White would also at least temporarily earn him this: the silence the naysayers.
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| Bader, now choked up |
"I had an out-of-body experience," Ortiz reportedly explained at the post-fight press conference. "It's like I was watching myself do it. Everything was in slow-mo. It was kind of like in The Matrix. It was weird. For the first time, everything was super, super slow.
"I didn't want to let go because I wasn't sure what was going on because like I said, I had an out-of-body experience. I didn't know how to react. I was like, 'I'm not letting go until the referee rips me off.' I don't mean to hold on to a submission longer than I was supposed to, but I wasn't letting go. I wanted to win. I'm like an animal out there."
Despite unleashing that animal, other critics are already wondering what Ortiz, who improved his professional record to 16-8-1, can possibly do for a follow-up. But he didn't sound too worried about it at the same press conference.
"The surgeries I've done, athletes don't come back," he noted. "They're done. Not me. I have too much drive. I'm healthy now. I feel great. Once again, I'm going to leave my career in my hands.
"I want to fight top guys. I want to fight guys with big names. I want to give fans want they want to see. I want the biggest fights in the world."
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