Tito Ortiz is one of the most decorated light heavyweight champions in UFC history, and he\u2019s confident the best version of himself is good enough to beat Alex Pereira.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoatan\u201d is currently in his second reign as 205-pound champion, having recently won the belt back from Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. In his first reign, Pereira successfully defended his title three consecutive times, two short of Ortiz, who defended that same belt five times from 2000-2002.<\/p>\n
During an appearance on the JAXXON<\/a> podcast, Ortiz, 50, was asked how a prime version of him would fare against Pereira, and he answered with no shortage of confidence.<\/p>\n \u201cI would double-leg the shit out of him,\u201d Ortiz said. \u201cHe ain\u2019t stopping, and he ain\u2019t getting away from me. Hell no.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrestling and ground-and-pound were Ortiz\u2019s calling cards in his heyday, with legendary names like Wanderlei Silva, Evan Tanner, and Ken Shamrock falling to \u201cThe Huntington Beach Bad Boy\u201d during his run at the top. Pereira, a former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion that has also won titles in two divisions in the UFC, is more known for his striking and one-punch knockout power, as evidenced in wins over Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Ankalaev.<\/p>\n Ortiz thinks the UFC moves in trends, and while strikers like Pereira might rule over the light heavyweight division right now, grappling-heavy fighters are still ever-present and could take over the heavier divisions again.<\/p>\n \u201cIt always goes back and forth,\u201d Ortiz said. \u201cIt goes back to ground guys, goes back to standup guys. Back to ground guys, back to standup guys.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the one that actually has done really well that I\u2019ve watched is Khabib Nurmagomedov and then [Khamzat] Chimaev. Those guys were the style that I fought. That\u2019s how I fought. That type of style will win every single fight. Yes, it\u2019s boring, but you\u2019re not getting away from somebody.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking at the current UFC top-5, which includes names like Pereira, Ankalaev, and Jiri Prochazka, Ortiz is confident that on his best day, he would give any of them a run for their money.<\/p>\n \u201cAny of the top 5 guys,\u201d Ortiz said. \u201cAny of the top guys. A hundred percent, I would fight anybody, anytime.\u201d<\/p>\n Faceoff. Dana White separates Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev after refusing to break eye contact<\/a> during a tense UFC 322 faceoff.<\/p>\n Suspension. Ex-UFC fighter Isaac Dulgarian suspended by Nevada Athletic Commission<\/a> amid fight-fixing allegations.<\/p>\n Champ. Islam Makhachev still feels like UFC lightweight champ: \u2018I don\u2019t lose my belt to anyone\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n Defense. Joe Rogan responds to Ronda Rousey blasting his MMA knowledge: \u2018She\u2019s a f*cking pit bull\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n Contenders. Jack Della Maddalena argues Shavkat Rakhmonov is no longer the No. 1 contender: \u2018I think the division has moved on.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Dismissed. Charges dismissed<\/a> against \u2018Liver King\u2019 following threats against Joe Rogan.<\/p>\n Anything But Fighting, with Bo Nickal.<\/p>\n Stipe Miocic tries pilates.<\/p>\n SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE<\/p>\n The definitive fight week schedule.<\/p>\n Shavkat coming in strong.<\/p>\n Uncle Chael keeping the kids in line.<\/p>\n Malcolm Wellmaker (10-0) vs. Ethyn Ewing (8-2); UFC 322, Nov. 15.<\/p>\n One more sleep. Here we go, y\u2019all. Cannot wait for tomorrow night.<\/p>\n If you find something you\u2019d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee<\/a> or @JedKMeshew<\/a> on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n