The Bellator 170 pre-fight press conference featuring headliners Tito Ortiz and Chael Sonnen took place yesterday and it was ‘The Bad Guy’ who turned up the heat in the war of words and made it personal.
Sonnen makes his comeback tomorrow under the Bellator banner as he faces the former UFC light heavyweight champion this Saturday night in the LA Forum. ‘The Huntingdon Beach Bad Boy’ is scheduled to retire after 20 years in the sport.
Ortiz and Sonnen went back and forth on the mic – separated only by Bellator President Scott Coker and Spike TV executive Jon Slusser – and exchanged plenty of barbs but it was Sonnen’s jab at Ortiz’s former relationship with former adult film star Jenna Jameson that crossed the line with Ortiz after this exchange.
“He talks well,” Ortiz said. “His mouth has got him every big fight that he’s had, and every time when it was time to present and perform, he’s failed. On Saturday night, it’s not going to change. What I do well – I come with heart, I come in with determination, I come in with hard work and perseverance. When I get my hand raised, I’ll know why, and so will all the millions of fans that have had my back over the last 20 years.”
Sonnen replied with a shot at Jameson, the mother of his children.
“Tito always says I’m using my mouth to get my opportunities. The only person I know that made money using their mouth is his ex-wife (Jenna Jameson).”
Ortiz was visibly enraged by this comment.
“Well, just to correct you, it was never no marriage,” Ortiz said. “You’re a f***ing punk. That’s what you call class? Right here, compared to no class.”
Sonnen took ride in his comment, which he admitted was “nasty”.
Somebody who wasn’t offended by the comment was Jameson herself.
You can watch the full press conference here.
