Bellator/MMA News: Tito Ortiz wants to 'smash' Chael Sonnen; rematch on the cards?

What's the story?

Former UFC light heavyweight champion and retired martial artist, Tito Ortiz, is reportedly planning a rematch with Bellator rival and UFC veteran, Chael Sonnen. Ortiz will be 44 years of age this January, but is seemingly fascinated about competing in the Octagon, once again. Will this be the last time Tito Ortiz is seen putting on a pair of MMA gloves? Well, only time will tell.

In case you didn't know..

On November 24th, 2018, an inaugural mixed martial arts event, governed by Golden Boy Promotions, hit the stage at The Forum, in Inglewood, California. This event featured a trilogy fight between retired mixed martial artists, Tito Ortiz, and Chuck Liddell. Although heavily criticized by the experts and the general public for including two retired professionals, Golden Boy Promotions founder, Oscar De La Hoya, successfully managed to have this fight come to fruition. The event, however, ended in a bizarre fashion, with Ortiz knocking Liddell out just four minutes into round number one.

Both Chael Sonnen and Tito Ortiz share history in the cage that dates back to their first fight at Bellator 170, on January 21st, 2017. The pair squared off in the headliner bout as a part of the stacked Bellator card that evening. Just over two minutes into the first round, Ortiz went on to secure a rear naked choke on Sonnen that quickly forced "The American Gangster," to tap out. The two have since been considered as prospects for a rematch, and have very recently, started to lay the foundation for it.

.@ChaelSonnen You said you would get back to me in 6 months and it’s only been 6 days since the new year! Lol Looks like I’m going to stomp a bigger hole in your face. No submission this time. 🤡 smashing time! Let’s fight winner take all? You’re going down! https://t.co/WUtBxcflH1

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) January 7, 2019

The heart of the matter

In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Tito Ortiz was seen expressing his willingness to have one last swing of the hammer, by opting to fight Chael Sonnen for a second time. Although Ortiz may still be a retired fighter, coming off of retirement does not seem like an impossible ordeal for "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy."

“Chael started it,” Ortiz told TMZ Sports. “As Chuck started it. And Chuck only lasted what, four and a half minutes? He called me out man. I’m gonna stay in retirement. I’m still gonna stay retired, and I’m gonna smash Chael. I’m not gonna choke him, I’m not gonna submit him, I’m gonna smash him. I’ll put a show on for every one of the fans. That’s what I’m gonna do.”

Chael Sonnen last competed in mixed martial arts during the Bellator 208 heavyweight semi-finals against PRIDE legend, Fedor Emelianenko. Sonnen suffered a technical knockout loss against Fedor in the very first round and has since been out of competition. When asked about the venue and the promotion for a potential rematch against Sonnen, Ortiz said:

“I don’t know where. I’ve never fought at Madison Square Garden, so possibly Madison Square Garden. That’ll be the first thing.

“I was the first UFC fighter – mixed martial artist – to ever fight in California. First one. First one to fight in Las Vegas. First one. First one to fight in Florida. First one. So, I’d like to just add to my repertoire of being able to go to Madison Square Garden and fight. Where the greatest have fought. People like Ali, people like Frazier, people like Foreman. Just to do something great for mixed martial arts, at the expense of Chael Sonnen.”

What's next?

Tito Ortiz appears to be gleaming with confidence and still believes that he has the tools to compete within the Octagon space, given a chance. Considering the physical disadvantages that come with age, do you think a rematch between Chael Sonnen and Tito Ortiz should be sanctioned?

Be sure to leave us with your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!