Tito Ortiz has announced that he is to step down as Cris ‘Cyborg’s manager after becoming frustrated by the fact that his former boss, UFC President Dana White, has continually cited him as one of the reasons why she has still not been signed to the promotion.
Read Ortiz’s full statement below.
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“I can live with Dana not liking me but what I can’t live with is Dana using me to hurt someone else. I’ve taken abuse and maybe I deserved some of it but Cris is a beautiful person and great athlete and doesn’t deserve to be insulted like this.
I don’t understand how Dana lets his hatred towards me hurt the UFC and the fans by not making this f!ght.
He accuses her of still using banned substances and say that she isn’t worthy of f!ghting Ronda yet a year ago he personally called me to make the f!ght happen.
I never said she would die if she made 135- we just repeated what the Dr said that Cris shouldn’t make a career at 135- we offered a 3 f!ght deal they said no 7 f!ghts or no deal.
Regardless – I won’t stand in the way from the fans getting a f!ght they want and I won’t hold Cris Back. So I’m stepping down as Cris’ manager
Now he can’t hold that against her-
I’m also tired of Dana accusing Cris of using banned substances. I challenge you to put up or shut up- Test her or stop lying about her- Cris is a beautiful woman inside and out- don’t insult her on her looks- she may be tough as nails but she still has feelings.
I know people are going to say there goes Tito making this about him again- but it’s not -it’s about Cris Cyborg- the baddest woman on the earth – soon to be multi-sport world champion.
So, the ball is now back in the UFC’s court with regards to whether to sign ‘Cyborg’ or not. The biggest stumbling block now is ‘Cyborg’s’ reluctance to move down to bantamweight. If she agrees to that then there’s a real chance the UFC could sign her.
Having said that, it should also be noted that in recent days White has also been outspoken in his criticism of ‘Cyborg’ for having tested positive for steroids while in the Strikeforce promotion, which in a sense is fair enough.
However, she’s since tested ‘clean’ in two fights under the respected Invicta FC banner, and if he continues to use this as an excuse to not sign her then questions would have to be asked as to whether he was in fact shielding Ronda Rousey, who he claimed this week is the biggest star the UFC has ever had, from a fighter who almost everyone agrees would be her toughest opponent.
