PRESS RELEASE
TORONTO -- Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz steps out of the Octagon and onto Sportsnet stage to guest host MMA Connected Monday.
The 34-year-old Ortiz is on the comeback trail after a 14-month hiatus due to back surgery. He was the light-heavyweight champion from April 2000 until September 2003.
Ortiz has emerged as one of the sports’ biggest stars, was the biggest pay-per-view draw of 2006 and has appeared on the cover of dozens of magazines as well as being a contestant in the first season of the Celebrity Apprentice. He is scheduled to make his return against Mark Coleman at UFC 106 in November.
Highlights from Monday’s show include:
- An overview of the top moments of Ortiz’s career.
- Ortiz will interview Vitor Belfort, fellow light-heavyweight fighter and his opponent at UFC 51. Belfort is scheduled to headline this month’s UFC 103 in Dallas.
- A "Getting to Know" segment -- Viewers can find out what interests Ortiz has outside of the Octagon.
- Ortiz gives his opinions on all the big stories around the UFC in a feature called "Tito’s Take."
- Reaction from Ortiz to various top-name UFC fighters’ predictions about his upcoming return to the UFC.
Next week's episode of MMA Connected will air first on Monday at 11:30 p.m. ET on Sportsnet East and Sportsnet Ontario, 11 p.m. MT on Sportsnet West and 9:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet Pacific.
