Combate Americas results: Tito Ortiz submits Alberto El Patron in opening round

A much-hype grudge match turned into a one-sided showcase for the UFC Hall of Famer.

The much-hyped grudge match between [autotag]Tito Ortiz[/autotag] and [autotag]Alberto El Patron[/autotag] turned into, well, a match between a former UFC light heavyweight champion who has stayed active, and a professional wrestler who hasn’t fought an MMA bout in a decade.

Ortiz (21-12-1) dominated the 210-pound catchweight bout Saturday night, which was the main event of Combate Americas’ first pay-per-view event. The time of the stoppage in Hidalgo, Texas, was 3:10 of the opening round when Ortiz won with a rear-naked choke submission.

As a result of the victory, Ortiz won a side bet with El Patron (9-6), who is best known as Alberto Del Rio from his run in the WWE, in which Ortiz had put his UFC belt up against El Patron’s WWE title belt.

Ortiz, who turns 45 in January, walked out to Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” theme song by Rick Derringer to a mixed reaction from the crowd. When the fight started, he immediately took El Patron down.

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El Patron, who has worked in Combate’s front office over the past several years, had a 10-fight MMA career that included high-profile matchups in PRIDE, but he had not competed since 2010, and it showed. The San Antonio resident, who is the son and nephew of lucha libre legends Dos Caras and Mil Mascaras, respectively, showed very little.

Ortiz worked El Patron over on the ground, and while El Patron did manage to get back onto his feet, he left himself wide open for the finishing choke.

“I was a five-time defending UFC champion, and here I am – 22 years later I still fight, and Alberto pushed me to be the best that I can,” Ortiz said. “I’ve got another fight in Combate. I may have a couple more fights in Combate.”

The victory is Ortiz’s third in a row. The UFC Hall of Famer is 5-1 since announcing the first of two retirements in 2012. It was his 15th career finish and his fifth submission. El Patron has lost two straight fights.

Complete “Combate Americas: Tito vs. Alberto” results:

Tito Ortiz def. Alberto El Patron via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 1, 3:10
Melissa Martinez def. Desiree Yanez via split decision (27-29, 29-28, 29-28) — Martinez wins inaugural Combate Americas strawweight title
Dani Barez def. Joao Camilo via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Levy Marroquin def. Enrique Gonzalez via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 4:53
Dani Barez def. Joao Camilo via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Gaston Reyno def. Rey Trujillo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Dulce Garcia def. Anali Lopez Hernandez via submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 2:47
Jose Flores def. Clarence Brown via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 1, 3:16
Victor Martinez def. Luis Luna via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:39
Elias Urbina def. Mike Tovar via KO (head kick) — Round 1, 3:14
Edmilson Freitas vs. Raymond Banda declared majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
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Tito Ortiz is rooting for Donald Cerrone against Conor McGregor at UFC 246: ‘This is his time to shine’

UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz says he’s siding with Donald Cerrone ahead of “Cowboy’s” UFC 246 bout with Conor McGregor in January.

UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Tito Ortiz[/autotag] has given his early backing to [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] ahead of “Cowboy’s” main event clash with [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] at UFC 246, saying McGregor’s recent out-of-cage behavior may come back to haunt him on fight night.

In an interview with Submission Radio, Ortiz said he was a big fan of both fighters, but admitted McGregor’s recent episode in which he struck a man in a Dublin pub left a sour taste in his mouth.

“I am (backing Cerrone), just because of Conor punching that old man on the barstool,” he said. “That was not respectful, man. And the guy got charged like $1,000 or something (expletive) like that. That is just baloney. Karma’s a (expletive), and it always bites everyone in the ass at the end of the day, and it always comes around, man.

“I like Conor. I think he’s an amazing guy. I just think that that wasn’t something you should do ever as a human being – not even just let alone a pro fighter, just as a human being in general. You always should respect your elders, and that’s always the right thing to do.”

Ortiz is all set for the latest chapter of his evergreen fighting career as he prepares to face former WWE champion Alberto Rodriguez at Combate Americas on Saturday. The former UFC light heavyweight champion said he likes Cerrone’s chances against McGregor, with the Irishman’s competitive inactivity, plus the fact the fight is taking place at 170 pounds both playing in Cerrone’s favor.

“Donald Cerrone is a tough guy. I love Donald Cerrone. He’s a good, good dude,” he said. “I really respect him and I think this is his time to shine, and I think he has a great chance of beating Conor.

“And it’s at 170. Conor actually is a 155-pounder, truthfully, and 145-pounder. So 170 is a big jump up for him. But I don’t know – did the time off help Conor? Sometimes when you get a little time off, it helps the body recover a little bit more. And Donald Cerrone’s been in some battles in his last couple of fights. So, it’s just one of those things.

“I just hope both the guys put on a great show, and I would like to see ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone get his hand raised. But I would like to see Conor put on a good fight.”

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Spinning Back Clique: Is McGregor-Cerrone or Khabib-Ferguson more compelling?

MMA Junkie’s John Morgan, “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” unpack the latest MMA news and notes in Episode 5 of “Spinning Back Clique.”

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. In this week’s episode, John Morgan, “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” react to the latest news, notes and fight bookings, as well as look ahead to UFC on ESPN 7 this weekend.

Show rundown:

Finally, we can discuss [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] news that has to do with cagefighting, as the former two-division UFC champion was booked to headline UFC 246 against [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]. But the Jan. 18 fight isn’t taking place at lightweight; it’s taking place at welterweight. So, what exactly is at stake here?
It’s happening. … We think. … We hope. For the fifth time, [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] has been booked. The 155-pound title fight is set for what should be UFC 249 on April 18 in New York. Will the fifth time be the charm in us finally seeing this fight, and what can we expect from this point on?
Whether it’s MMA or grappling, former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Luke Rockhold[/autotag] just seems off. He was cut early before losing a decision to Nick Rodriguez last week at Polaris 12. Combine that with two devastating knockout losses in his last two MMA fights, as well recent comments that his heart isn’t into fighting anymore, and you’ve got to wonder: Where does he go from here with his combat sports career?
UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Tito Ortiz[/autotag], who meets ex-WWE superstar Alberto El Patron this weekend in Combate Americas, got mad at MMA Junkie last week, calling us “click bait” for writing a story highlighting his comments about current UFC light heavyweight champ [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag]. “I think I can beat Jon Jones,” Ortiz said. “I think I have a good chance – I really do think I’ve got a good chance.” His words, not ours. So when you hear that, what’s your take on it?
UFC on ESPN 7 this Saturday features [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] in a heavyweight main event. And in the co-headliner, [autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag] fights [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] at strawweight. Of those four fighters, who has the most to gain with an impressive victory?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 5 of “Spinning Back Clique” in the video above. And make sure to weigh in on McGregor vs. Cerrone in our poll below.

[opinary poll=”are-you-less-hyped-for-mcgregor-vs-cerro” customer=”mmajunkie”]

Tito Ortiz thinks he has a good chance to beat UFC champ Jon Jones

Tito Ortiz thinks he has a good chance to beat one of the greatest fighters of all time, current UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones.

[autotag]Tito Ortiz[/autotag] has made quite a bold statement.

Speaking to TMZ, Ortiz, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, said he thinks he can beat arguably the greatest fighter of all time, current UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

“I think I can beat Jon Jones,” Ortiz said. “I think I have a good chance – I really do think I’ve got a good chance. If people say, ‘Oh, Tito, (expletive), you’re over the hill,’ whatever. Come to my camp. Come train with me. Come wrestle with me. Come do jiu-jitsu with me. Watch my weight training. Watch my biking and stairs that I do. I push myself harder than I pushed myself through my whole career. I’m doing amazing. My mind is in the right place, my body is in the right place.”

Ortiz is scheduled to take on former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio in a 210-pound catchweight bout in the headliner of a Combate Americas pay-per-view event Dec. 7 in Hidalgo, Texas.

The UFC Hall of Famer acknowledged Jones is one of the greatest talents to ever step in the cage, but thinks he has tarnished his legacy with his mishaps in and out of the cage.

“He could be the best ever, but I mean, could have – not anymore,” Ortiz said. “He tarnished his career so many times, so much stuff that he did in and out of the cage it just – God, it bums me out because I love the guy, man. He was one of the best light heavyweights to ever grace the octagon.”

Considering Jones’ accolades, where both guys are in their careers, and the fact Ortiz is almost 13 years his senior, Ortiz’s claim likely will be viewed as absurd.

But Ortiz thinks the key to beating the long and rangy Jones is to press forward and take his weapons away from the outside.

“Come on, why wouldn’t I? Pressure, pressure, pressure,” Ortiz said. “You stay in that angle, the outside reach of him, you’ve got problems with it. You can’t just sit there and play his game.”

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