Tito Ortiz: I Think I Can Beat Jon Jones

For many, Jon Jones is the greatest MMA fighter of all time. While others believe the adversities that have followed him throughout his career have tarnished his legacy and removed him from the GOAT conversation. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz, fulls into the latter category.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, Ortiz said Jones can no longer be regarded as the best ever.

“He could be the best ever. But I mean, could have, not anymore. He tarnished his career so many times, so much stuff that he did in and out of the cage it just…God! It bums me out because I love the guy, man. He was one of the best light heavyweights to ever grace the Octagon.”

When asked if he would fight Jones, Ortiz said he would without a doubt. Going on to say that he’s feeling amazing and that he believes he could beat the current UFC light heavyweight champion.

“I’d give a go at it. I wouldn’t say I’d win but I’d give it a go. One hundred percent.

“Come on, why wouldn’t I?

“I think I can beat Jon Jones. I think I have a good chance, I really do think I’ve got a good chance. If people say, ‘Oh, Tito, bulls***, you’re over the hill,’ whatever. Come to my camp. Come train with me. Come wrestle with me. Come do jiu-jitsu with me. Watch my weight training. Watch my biking and stairs that I do. I push myself harder than I pushed myself through my whole career. I’m doing amazing. Just my mind is in the right place, my body is in the right place.”

As Ortiz points out, most fans are going to call BS on his comments, but without that self-belief, a fighter isn’t a fighter.

After leaving the UFC in 2012, Ortiz went 3-1 in Bellator, before scoring a first round knockout over his former UFC foe Chuck Liddell, under Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

The 44 year old is scheduled to fight former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio in a 210lbs catchweight contest at Combate Americas, on December 7th.

Jones is coming off a split decision win over Thiago Santos at UFC 239 this past July and is set to defend his UFC light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, on February 8th in Houston, Texas.


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