UR DIRT-E Hot rumor.

UR DIRT-E Rumor. Tito Ortiz is close to returning to the UFC.

Through a source we have found out that Tito Ortiz and the UFC have agreed in principle to a 4 fight deal with an (UFC) option for a 5th fight. We have been in contact with a lot of fighters, companies, organizations, marketing reps and agents trying to get our site up and respectable. One of our new sources told us today over the phone from Las Vegas. Who wished to remain anonymous because of his involvment in the deal and other MMA companies as well.

"Why do you think he (Tito Ortiz) is in all the promos for UFC 84? Especially with a Punishment Athletics shirt? They could have easily blurred it out like the Affliction Shirts. They would have easily buried him on the undercard like Arlovski if the deal was not done, or if they (UFC) thought he was going to go to EliteXC. That is why Dana does not seem worried in the interviews and is bashing Tito as much as possible in the media. He knows he is already signed so why not let it get hyped in the press and sell a couple of extra pay per views? Its alot more attractive to buy (UFC 84) with insults and a war of words to sell a pay per view than announcing a deal."

When we asked if the deal is already done then why has he not signed the contract? Our source told us this.

"They have pretty much agreed on the dollar amount, its a pretty significant raise for Tito in comparison to his last contract. The hold up now is the little details that add up to alot of money. Like how much pay per view revenue does Tito get from each event he is in? How big or small of a percentage does he get? A quarter of a percent could be $20,000 to $80,000 out of Tito's pocket every event. At first Tito wanted the 5th fight's option to be his decision, but dropped the demand in favor of a raise in the pay per view revenue".

When we asked if Tito was negotiating with Dana White or the Fertittas?

"Dana has been taken out of the equation because Tito gets too emotional and that is never good for business especially in negotations. It has been all Lorenzo. Lorenzo is a business man and knows this from experience and Dana understands this as well. They cant let (Randy and Tito) two of their biggest pay per view draws walk right out the door with no compensation and into EliteXC's hands. EliteXC is on CBS next weekend and will be a big litmus test as to how much they can market Kimbo Slice in the mainstream American house hold. If there ratings are successful and they sign Tito it would be a license to print money. A Tito Vs Kimbo fight for EliteXC would sell a lot of pay per views and could split fans decisions on which pay per view they should buy that month or in the future. Dana knows that. Tito knows that and the Fertitta's know that. That is why they are fighting hard to keep him in the UFC."

"My 2 Cents and WARNING"

I am 50-50 on this because it makes alot of sense, Tito has fought all of his career in the UFC and that may have emotional value. Tito and Dana know how to sell pay per views and it would make sense for them to make it controversial and fight it out in the press until after UFC 84. A little controversy always sells more.

I will tell you one thing take this with a grain of salt until it is confirmed. Especially when it comes to the UFC, Tito Ortiz and money. Nothing is a slam dunk. The last time Tito was a free agent Pride & WFA were still in business and he did not leave. He did have almost a year off the last time, this time he is older though.