One of the most anticipated Light Heavyweight rematches in UFC history was signed today in Anaheim, just one day prior to UFC 63.
From MMAWeekly:
During a meet-and-greet autograph session prior to the UFC 63 weigh-ins on Friday afternoon in Anaheim, California, Tito Ortiz made an appearance in front of everyone in attendance and had an announcement to make.
Ortiz said that he had just been approached by someone from the UFC and had been told, “We know you have a fight coming up in a couple of weeks [against Ken Shamrock on October 10th], but I wanted to give you this now.” Ortiz said that he was given a contract to fight Chuck Liddell on December 30th at UFC 66.
At that point, Ortiz flashed the contract to the crowd, with his signature already on it. The rematch between Liddell and Ortiz is now officially signed for December 30th, apparently regardless of the outcome of Ortiz’ upcoming fight against Ken Shamrock on Spike TV on October 10th.
Leave it to Tito to find a way to steal everyone else’s thunder. I think win, lose or draw against Shamrock the smart money is with Tito getting a title shot. Honestly, there’s no reason for Ortiz vs. Shamrock III, other than to please the fans. Tito has paid his dues since coming back to UFC, and having him in a main event will definitely draw more money than Forrest Griffin or any other Light Heavyweight who isn’t Randy Couture. There’s a lot of history, and a lot of bad blood, between Ortiz and Liddell. The fans, and the fighters, have been waiting for this rematch for over two years now.
With Liddell vs. Ortiz II being confirmed it definitely ends the possibility of Liddell facing Wanderlei Silva, or anyone else from Pride, in November. While a lot of fans will be disappointed, I think this fight will make up for it. UFC 66 will probably break attendance, gate, and buyrate records. It’s a great way to end 2006, and an even better way to move the company into 2007.
