MMA Fighter Tito Ortiz attends Spike TV's 10th Annual Guys Choice Awards at Sony Pictures Studios on June 4, 2016 in Culver City, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Frazer Harrison)
There were a lot of mean-spirited verbal exchanges during the buildup to the Tito Ortiz vs. Chael Sonnen matchup at Bellator 170. Even though Ortiz was one of the proponents of incorporating the art of trash talking into mixed martial arts, he has stated that Sonnen took things too far with the things he said.
Sonnen repeatedly targeted Ortiz's personal life, including his family and current financial situation. He even made rude remarks regarding Ortiz's ex girlfriend Jenna Jameson. Due to these comments, Ortiz believes that Sonnen broke a number of unspoken rules regarding trash talk.
"That's always my three rules of s**t-talking: You don't talk about a person's family, you don't talk about a person's country, and you don't lie about a person," Ortiz said in an interview with Fight Hub TV. He added that Sonnen was guilty of all three of these things and that is why his loss was thoroughly deserved.
It was obvious how much Sonnen's negative comments drew the ire of Ortiz. When Sonnen tapped after being submitted, Ortiz held on to the choke until the referee had to forcefully separate them, MMA Fighting reported. Ortiz later explained that he held on due to the ill will between him and Sonnen.
Sonnen reportedly met Ortiz in his locker room after their fight in order to congratulate him, but the latter clarified that he wanted more than a congratulatory handshake behind closed doors. Ortiz has stated that this feud will not end unless Sonnen comes out and makes a public apology directed at him.
Following his first round submission loss, Sonnen has now turned his attention to his next potential opposition. He could potentially go up against Wanderlei Silva in his next bout. There is no word yet though of him making a public apology to Ortiz.
On the other hand, Ortiz has decided to end his MMA career on a high note and finally hang up his gloves after 20 distinguished years in the sport. He explained that he has already afforded his dream life and that at 42 years old, it was high time for him to settle down.
Watch the full press conference for Ortiz vs. Sonnen here:
