Every industry has its media moguls.  It’s very own rock stars if you will.  In the world of Mixed Martial Arts, no name packs more history, or conjures more imagery, than the name Tito Ortiz.  Love him or hate him Tito Ortiz is a bonafied superstar in the fight world.  Now, the Huntington Beach Bad Boy sits down with Fightpros.com good boy, Pastor Bob.  In this exchange Tito opens up about his relationship with Dana White and Chuck Liddell, as well as giving the readers insight into Tito’s own five year plan.

Fightpros.com: The world watched the First episode of The Ultimate Fighter this week, so obviously you have wrapped up filming.  This seasons premiere had an unprecedented display of skill.   Can you tell the world what we are in for this season?

Tito Ortiz: You know, it went really well.  The guys were awesome.  These were a bunch of tough, young guys training their butts off… and it showed.  They came in committed and thats what its all about in this business.  If your not willing to fight you shouldn’t show up.  They were willing and I think people are going to enjoy the season.

Fightpros.com: Tito I have seen tweets from both Jenna and your accounts, concerning your recent hospitalization. I’ve heard you were hospitalized for everything from herniated disks in your neck to swine flu.  Can you put these rumors to rest?  Can you let the world know why you were in the hospital and how you are doing now?

Tito Ortiz: Ah, thanks for that, cause actually neither of those rumors are true.  Wasn’t swine flu or my neck, or anything else like that.  I was just sick.  Really sick.  I’m doing a lot better now, drinking my fluids, taking my vitamin C, but no, not disks in my neck and certainly not swine flu.

Fightpros.com: There are lots of rumors going around, I believe mainly due to the rumors about your hospitilization, concerning the traditional coaches battle at the end of the season.  Most of these rumors state that you will not be facing Chuck Liddell at season end.  Can you put the rumors to rest in regards to if/if not you are fighting Chuck at the close of the season?

Tito Ortiz: You know, thats the idea.  Thats what Dana said.  Dana is always the first and last word on these things and he told me that Chuck and I will be battling.  So, unless Dana says otherwise, it’s gonna happen.

Fightpros.com: Tito, You and Chuck used to be great friends.  I live around the corner from The Pit, and I seem to recall joint training sessions, and I believe at one time he was a guest in your house.  What are your feelings on chuck liddell now?  Have things gotten more personal between the two of you, and is there any shared respect?

Tito Ortiz: Wow,… actually he was a guest in my house, but it was on more than one occasion. He was in my home on a number of occasions that I can think of.  Um, it’s sad, we are no longer friends.., it is what it is.  Dana White, to his credit, and just to show you the content of his heart, he really did extend forgiveness and he meant it.  Dana and I are great now.  Chuck though, he showed he really does hate me.  I’m not gonna let it get to me though.  I’m gonna continue to take care of my family, and I’m gonna keep putting on the best fights I can for my friends and fans.

Fightpros.com: Tito, In the past you have mentioned a fighters union and you were one of the first and biggest voices for the fighters.  You showed a desire to Make sure the fighters were treated well. Do you think there’s been a drastic change in what fighters make and how they are treated?  If so, do you believe you had an influence in these changes?

Tito Ortiz: There is a huge change.  Period.  Each of these events we participate in make so much money.  They have finally started giving fighters what they deserve… maybe I changed their minds, maybe its just an exhibition of the good heart in Dana White… but its all good.

Fightpros.com: Being a veteran of the sport, and someone who will obviously enter the UFC’s hall of fame one day, are there any styles out there that intrigue you.  Are there any specific fighters that given the opportunity you would train with?

Tito Ortiz: Oh, St Pierre for sure.  I would love that one.  He and I have similar styles, with both of us being wrestlers.  Hmmm… my wrestling, which is a strength, hadn’t been were it should have been for awhile.  Now Im 100% and there are a lot of good guys out there that I want to train with given the opportunity.  Whoever is the best is who I want to train with.

Fightpros.com: Speaking of wrestling and grappling, following the Marquardt-Sonnen fight Jon Fitch was reported as stating, “The closed guard is dead.”  Some have speculated that not only is the closed guard dead, but that brazilian Jujitsu in general is beginning to fade in importance.  What is your view of the best grappling system and the continued viability of Jujitsu?

Tito Ortiz: Well, I’m a wrestler.  That’s what I am.  But I don’t think Jujitsu is going to die, it  just needs to progress… its not jujitsu anymore out there.  You cant just guard anymore… you have to be able to punch.  You have to be able to adjust yourself to avoid being hit, and not just that, but to be able to land punches as well.  You can’t handicap yourself.

Fightpros.com: Who do you believe is the #1 Heavyweight in MMA and who posses the biggest threat to them?

Tito Ortiz: Carwin is the man… he will beat Brock… I like Brock, but i think Carwin is a little bit better at everything.  Honestly, I would like for Brock to win but i think its Carwin now.  I think it’s Carwin for now I should say.  Brock still has a lot of time to continue to develop and build on his base and adapt to MMA.  He is really good for how long he has been in this, but it is Carwin for now.

Fightpros.com: At one point Team Punishment was one of the greatest camps in the United States.  After your falling out with the UFC many would say Tito Ortiz was branded in a negative way, and a shadow was casted on your brand. Is there still a Team Punishment? and how is the camp following your return to the octagon?

Tito Ortiz: Right now I am in rebuild for Team Punishment.  Times are changing with me and Dana right now.  Dana gave me another chance.  You probably noticed I was able to use Punishment on the The Ultimate Fighter series.  Currently I am able to bring Team Punishment into the new generation as a force as strong as it once was.  There is a whole new generation of fighters and talent out there emerging right before us.  I plan on bringing Team Punishment back into its own.

Fightpros.com: Certain fighters like Randy Couture, and Chuck Liddell, receive a lot of criticism regarding age. What is your philosophy regarding age, and how much longer will fans see Tito Ortiz compete?

Tito Ortiz: You know I really think no further than 39.  I want to be retired by 40.  I need to make some investments, and I have been.  Building up some security.  But, I plan to take advantage of the next five years and to go into these five years, and to come out, with guns blazing.

Fightpros.com: Without looking past Chuck are there any fights that really interest you. That you would like to see happen?

Tito Ortiz:  You know,… Machida again.  Forrest.  I would love to crush his face once and for all.  But right now, its all about Liddell.  I am thinking about Liddell and this coming fight.  But yeah, Forrest. Rashad…

Fightpros.com: Ok Tito, just for fun Bud, just for giggles, I want to bounce some fight scenarios off of you and if you wouldn’t mind giving us some quotes i would appreciate it.

Tito Ortiz: Ok.  Shoot.

Fightpros.com: Rampage vs. Rashad?

Tito Ortiz: Rampage first round knock out.

Fightpros.com:  Wow.  Really?  Without missing a beat you just threw that out there.

Tito Ortiz: Yeah, There’s a chance that if Rashad can stay out that he might make it to the second round.  But no, I stand by it.  Rampage in the first round.

Fightpros.com: Lyoto Machida vs Shogun

Tito Ortiz: shogun will win again… he won last time and he will win again next time.

Fightpros.com: Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez

Tito Ortiz: Lesnar is a lot bigger, so I go with Lesnar for sure.  I have to admit though, I  wanna see a mexican guy win the title.

Fightpros.com: Ok Tito, this ones just for fun.  Cro Cop vs Dana White

Tito Ortiz: What?

Fightpros.com: Cro Cop vs Dana White

Tito Ortiz: What?

Fightpros.com:  Come on Tito!  It’s just for fun man (laughing)!  Cro Cop vs. Dana White!

Tito Ortiz: Oh! (laughing) I just didn’t catch what you were saying.  Dana White all the way man! (laughing) In fact, Dana White by torpedo headbutt!

When the mystique of the little black box we call television is removed, one finds in Tito Ortiz a thoughtful, and insightful man concerned about family, friends, and fighters.  He is a man with vision and foresight.  Yet, above all else, he is one of the hardest working men in the industry, on and off the mat.  What does the future hold for Tito Ortiz?  Could it be anything other than a place in the UFC Hall of Fame?

As always, What say you?

~Pastor Bob Rush

You can follow Pastor Bob on Twitter @pastorbobmma

Tito Ortiz can be followed @titoortiz