Japanese memoirs

Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell have weird and wonderful memories of Japan. Lots of them.

That’s why this Saturday’s UFC 144 in Tokyo, the first time the company has returned to the Land of the Rising Sun since Dec. 16, 2000, has some significant meaning. Both Ortiz and Liddell fought on the last card, which was under the umbrella of UFC’s former ownership and attracted a crowd of 1,414.

Ortiz defended his light-heavyweight championship against Japanese countryman Yuki Kondo, submitting his opponent at 1:51 of the first round via a neck crank. Liddell scored a unanimous win over Jeff Monson.

Ortiz, who on April 14, 2000 scored a unanimous decision over Wanderlei Silva to win the light-heavyweight championship, laughed recalling the December card, which took place in a venue about the size of a basketball court.

"It was very, very small. I think the cage barely fit in it," he said on Wednesday in a phone interview to promote Saturday’s card and also to plug his Twitter account @TitoOrtiz. "It was the weirdest thing you’ve probably ever seen in a UFC event. It was just one of those things where I wanted to continue with the world title around my waist and I would do anything to make it happen. I was not afraid of (Kondo), more afraid of losing. I think that’s the biggest thing and not being able to support my family, but at the same time you’re fighting the hometown guy."

Ortiz didn’t want Kondo to take early control of the fight, which is exactly what happened when the Japanese fighter nailed him with a flying knee to the chin only 10 seconds or so into the contest. Ortiz was knocked on his backside, but did a backwards roll to get back on his feet and then knocked Kondo down and began to ground and pound en route to the submission.

Lorenzo Fertitta, who would soon buy the bankrupt company with his brother Frank, approached Ortiz after the win over Kondo and told him of plans to grow the UFC and how to market the champion.

"I was the champion, seen as kind of their poster boy, and I was thankful for everything they did for me," he said. "I look at (the UFC) going back to Japan and (believe) the Japanese fans are very lucky (that it's back)."

Ortiz said the first time he fought in Japan he sold his T-shirts with his athletics brand Punishment written in Japanese and with a red circle, similar to the country’s flag.

"The Japanese people wanted the shirts and I was out there signing them," he said. "I made about $3,000 selling them for $20 a pop. To me it wasn’t just about fighting. It was a business to me. I would go out and peddle shirts. I did that all the way up to UFC 39. I understood what business was, pushing my brand to the next level. I think that the hustle in me that never stopped."

Liddell fought four times in Japan, posting a 3-1 record. He was part of the Pride Final Conflict card that took place August 2003 at the Tokyo Dome and attracted 67,450. Liddell fought and lost to Quinton (Rampage) Jackson in the middleweight semi-finals. Jackson, who fights Ryan Bader on the co-main event Saturday, lost to Silva in the final.

"The first time I went there I had nothing to compare it to," Liddell said. "The fans are so quiet during the fight. It’s very noticeably different than it is here. They do make a loud noise such as "Ooooooh" if you’re passing a guard or do something good, but you don’t hear that constant screaming. It’s quiet in front of 1,400 people because it’s so small, but when there’s 70,000 not screaming it’s a little strange. It’s a little surreal.

"It’s a great experience. I liked mixed martial arts since I was a kid and I was always interested in the (Japanese) culture and everything, so it was fun for me just to go over and check the stuff out."

Ortiz said he’s looking forward to the UFC 144 main event featuring lightweight champion Frankie Edgar facing Benson Henderson.

"After watching Ben Henderson fight on FOX (last November, scoring a unanimous decision over Clay Guida), I thought, ‘That kid is amazing.’ Now he’s getting a world title fight and we’ll see if he’s that good, and I think he is and the fans are in store for a great card.

"I’ll pick Frankie Edgar to win. I’ve seen him get hurt and almost get knocked out and come back and knock the guy out. He’s a great wrestler, has great standup. He has all the heart in the world and that’s one thing you cannot teach a fighter. Either you have it or you don’t, and Frankie Edgar has it."

Liddell also gave the edge to Edgar.

"He’s solid and tough and finds a way to win, but Ben Henderson is a fun guy to watch fight," Liddell said. "That will be a really exciting fight."

Ortiz, who beat Bader last year to extend his career, is picking Jackson to beat his younger opponent.

"Rampage is not afraid of Bader. Bader has a little bit of fear of Rampage," he said. "I think Rampage is a better fighter overall. I’m excited to watch that card."

Liddell also gave the edge to Jackson.

"He wants to do well over there. It’s a big deal for him. He’s going to want to shine over there."

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on sportsnet.ca. He is also a regular contributor on other sports, including the UFC.