MMANews.com: Do you think Dana just says these things to make himself more famous? I mean, in ten or twenty years everyone who follows MMA will still know who Tito Ortiz is, but can we say the same about Dana?
Tito Ortiz: Well, you know, in Dana's mind he's gonna be there forever. He's the frontrunner. He gets to do all the TV shows and interviews and talk smack about his fighters. He's always the guy in the limelight. He's always wanted to be a superstar. Dana "it's good to be" White wants to be a superstar. He has that goal and you can't do anything about it when he has millions of dollars behind him, and that's what he has. So he's gonna be a superstar, you know? It's kind of funny when I go to UFC's and seen him signing autographs and stuff. It makes me laugh. I was like, "Oh, when was the last time this guy got in the octagon and fought? Oh yeah, I forgot - he never did." And you know what, it's just really funny to see his true colors and see the way he talks and see the fakeness that he has and all of the childish things he does. And that's never gonna change. There are fans that say "Oh, Dana is the greatest thing to ever happen," and then there's fans that say: "Dana is taking advantage of the fighters." Then there are the people that know what's really going on. But Dana's Dana. I can't change him, and he's not going to change himself so we'll see in the future what happens.
MMANews.com: That says a lot for your loyalty to the company and to the Fertitta brothers. It seems like you have chosen to taken the high road and swallow your pride for the sake of the UFC and your career as well.
Tito Ortiz: Yeah, you know it was a little bit of pride swallowing, but I got what I wanted. Through my contract stuff, I got what I wanted. But then it seemed like the more and more that I got bigger, Dana would try and squash me. You know back in the day when he said "Tito Ortiz will no longer fight in the UFC as long as I am president." And just to hear that from his mouth, all this stuff he never said to my face even when I was doing The Ultimate Fighter reality show. But, you know, I am a star and I'm going to be a star no matter what company is behind me. I would love for it to be the UFC. The Fertitta's have done so much for me and my family so I think they deserve it. It is nothing towards Dana at all. I could give two flying-flips what Dana thinks or what Dana believes. It's all about the Fertittas who have taken care of me and who have done well with me.
MMANews.com: Let's move on to some more random, questions like what type of food do you like to eat? What type of music do you listen to?
Tito Ortiz: I like a lot of music, you know? Hardcore stuff: Korn, Eminem, DMX. I pretty much listen to everything, man. I really do as long as it's not country. Um, food? Well, I love sushi and Mexican food, you know?
MMANews.com: What is your least favorite exercise?
Tito Ortiz: My least favorite exercise [laughs]? I really don't have one. I love doing everything, man. Um, I guess leg workouts. Leg workouts are the worst, man, those ones hurt. The next day it takes a lot out of my body.
MMANews.com: Are you planning on getting back to your acting career anytime soon?
Tito Ortiz: Yeah. You know what? I just did a film about four months ago actually. It's called "Zombie." I play a monster and so on and so forth. I want to continue acting but right now my fighting career is really important. But if the right thing were to come about and I have the chance to do it, I'm not gonna say no. But as of right now the most important thing is my fighting career.
MMANews.com: Do you think that Randy Couture being in the new "Scorpion King" prequel will affect his performance against Gonzaga or have any negative affect on his fighting career?
Tito Ortiz: What movie is it?
MMANews.com: Yeah, Randy Couture is supposedly slated to be the new bag guy in the "Scorpion King" prequel. The movie that launched The Rock's acting career, etc.
Tito Ortiz: Really? That's awesome [laughs]. That's awesome for him. I'm very proud for him, man. You know he is forty-four years old so at least he's catching a little bit of the acting at the tail end of his career.
MMANews.com: What do you plan on doing when you retire from the sport?
Tito Ortiz: After I get done with fighting the acting career is something I've really been looking forward to. I'll be fighting for about three or four more years so after a foundation of doing that I think acting would be the next step for me and I'm really excited to do it.
MMANews.com: Do you have any sponsors that you would like to thank before we get going?
Tito Ortiz: Well of course, my number one sponsor is Punishment Athletics at
.::Punishment Athletics::.. I'd like to thank them for their support, and of course, for being a great company. I'd also like the thank all the fans that support me, and, you know, I'll be fighting before the year is over. I'll make sure I'll get a fight in, and fight Rashad one more time. Once again, thanks to the fans, and that's all I've got to say.
MMANews.com: Well thanks for taking the time to answer some questions and we look forward to your next fight.
Tito Ortiz: Right on man, thank you much.