Tito Ortiz believes he could beat Jon Jones if still in his prime

There’s no debating the impact Tito Ortiz has had on the sport of MMA both as a salesman and scrapper. The former “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” has beaten a number of the sport’s best over his fifteen-year career and still holds the record for consecutive title-defenses in the light heavyweight division.

However, to hear Ortiz tell the tale, if he’d been able to avoid the back/neck problems he encountered the streak would have required at least two hands to count including a win over current champion Jon Jones.

Ortiz Thinks “Bones” Jones Will Break his Record-Setting Title-Run

“Pressure. Don’t let him use that reach, try to close down the space with tons of pressure. Use my strength, use my wrestling,” said the 16-10 Ortiz of how he’d approach Jones in an interview with Train Hard, Fight Easy Magazine. “An injury-free Tito Ortiz is very, very dangerous, and Ryan Bader was the last guy who got a close up of that one. When I’m injury-free I’m very dangerous.”

“Me around 2000, when I was fast a strong and I was strong and my confidence was through the roof I could beat anyone. I could of beat anyone in the world, man,” the 37-year old continued. “Now, 15 years later, look at me I’m still competing against top guys in the world – like I always have done – but the injuries have taken their toll.”

Ortiz will fight one final time before hanging up his gloves, facing Forrest Griffin on July 7 at UFC 148.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC