UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz called it a career last year following his UFC 148 decision lost to Forrest Griffin and has now started representing fighters as their manager.
One of the the fighters that he represents is former Strikeforce women’s featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, who is currently a free agent.
Ortiz appeared on “UFC Tonight” last night on FUEL TV to discuss the future of his client, which include whether she could make the bantamweight limit of 135 pounds.
The UFC had wanted Cyborg to meet women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey in the main event of UFC 157 on February 23rd, but Ortiz told the UFC she would not be able to make the bantamweight limit of 145 pounds.
During “UFC Tonight,” Ortiz stated that he isn’t sure making 135 pounds is healthy for his client, but if the weight cut is healthy and a doctor will approve it, then he would like to make the fight happen.
“When I first signed her she told me ‘I can’t go down to 135 because I walk around at 170 – 172. As a women it’s hard to cut down,” Ortiz said. “And, it sounds like a disadvantage for me to cut down so much since I am a champion fighter.’ I think it is way too soon to say and I don’t want to hurt my fighters and she is still the champion. Last year she took some substances given to her by her trainers that she didn’t know about that got her in trouble, but I am going to put my stamp and my name on her and make sure she doesn’t get involved in those things again and make her a better fighter. It is going to be tough for her to get down to 135. At 145, she is shredded and to get ten extra pounds off is difficult. If she can cut the weight in a healthy way and the doctor can approve it, then let’s see the fight happen.”
The UFC has already offered to pay for Mike Dolce to work with her to get down to the bantamweight limit of 135 pounds. Dolce has worked with several other UFC fighters for weigh cutting purposes and he has a diet book that is currently available. Ortiz did not say if Cyborg has already started working with Dolce, but was opened to the possibility.
When it came to Rousey, Ortiz believes she is a great champion but her attitude has changed and deserves all the fame she is currently receiving.
“Ronda is a great champion. She has a great name. Her attitude completely changed. And I guess when the spotlight is on you, you shine a little more and she deserves all the fame she has right now because when she fights Cyborg, she will no longer have the title.”