Tito Wins the Black Muscle Car

As a parting gift to Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz for coaching his Ultimate Fighter show, UFC President Dana White ended the season by giving each a vintage muscle car. One black and one yellow, other than the color – identical cars. Ken said he liked the black one and Tito said he wanted the black model and suggested that they fight over the right to choose their color at UFC 61 “Bitter Rivals”.

Always thinking, and trusting his superior training regimen, age, and level of “game”, Tito suggested this settlement and everyone agreed. Amidst the smiles and hoo-ha’s I recall Tito muttering “watch – I’ll end up owning both of these cars”, suggesting a behind the scenes wager with Ken (who just never seems to able to “tune out” Ortiz).  It’s like two neighborhood kids who are rivals. One says I want that – and the other says NO I want it! I threw the ball 50 yards – yeah well mine went at least 60 yards! I keep bracing myself for an “on camera” moment between Tito and Ken that ends up “I know you are but what am I”…..you get the picture!

Stifling my sense of nostalgia, recalling when Ken Shamrock WAS the world’s most dangerous man – I can only add that he WAS one of the world most dangerous men – and for his whole career. Ken Shamrock is no joke and a real Ace of a fighter. I’m glad to see him making a couple of modern paychecks before clocking out of a game that he helped bring to mainstream America – and the world. Yes, Ken Shamrock is a DANGEROUS MAN – and a pioneer of MMA no doubt!

That said, Tito Ortiz was the choice of all but the blind, or Shamrock’s most rabid fans. Yeah – “go Kenny – kick his ass back to California!” They are not at fault – some people are ruled by emotion and others use a more logical, methodical approach to picking fights. There are no supermen or super-heroes – just trained fighters who show up on the appointed night – with the game to score a victory, or end the evening as the recipient of a beating.

Fact is, Tito wouldn’t be where he is if it wasn’t for men like Shamrock and Gracie, who walked the aisle before these young fighters had ever had a real fight – much less in a steel cage. That was the time of triple elimination’s before the final – and all in one night! Yep – Ken was/is a bad man!

Tonight, youth was served as the brash young Tito Ortiz showed up jacked and ready to fight. He made short work of Ken Shamrock and in just a short time, had slammed him to the canvas and was beginning to rain down unanswered elbows and punches on an unresponsive Ken Shamrock. The fight was stopped immediately. Ken – who appeared clearly to be in trouble, and on the verge of getting his head caved in – as in their first match – jumped up immediately protesting as Ortiz celebrated. It was a good stoppage – despite the boos from the crowd. Tito would have proceeded to crush Ken and that’s not the way we wanted to see one of our pioneers go out. He was buffed and ready to rumble but the referee stopped it before the hailstorm of follow-up blows began re-arranging Ken’s face. I can live with this decision, despite the obvious disappointment of many fans. They haven’t been mounted by Tito and taken the full brunt of his unrelenting, powerful attack. I haven’t either for that matter – but I’ve been in a “bad position” like that before – trust me, it was the humane thing for the referee to call it.

Ken has his dignity back – beside the “Loss” – and can keep talking smack about getting Tito back in the ring (for another huge payday – I hope not!) and the early stoppage controversy. It’s good TV spin. Good for Ken’s health too! Hang ‘em up my friend and stay close to the UFC – there’s a lot of cash floating around and you’ve got a lot to offer – just in the PR aspects. And BTW Tito – enjoy your new car dude – you’ve earned it! Leave old Kenny alone and fight some of the new upcoming hard asses – many of them are more in need of a spanking than Shamrock! ORTIZ WINS!