| Due to the absence of Tito Ortiz for his weigh-in | | | | arts fighter from Huntington Beach, California, began |
| Friday, the much-awaited battle between the UFC | | | | his martial arts career as a wrestler in his sophomore |
| fighter and Dana White, President of the Ultimate | | | | year in high school. After a series of successful |
| Fighting Championship has been cancelled, at least for | | | | competitions, he headed for more prestigious |
| now. | | | | competitions worldwide. |
| White was scheduled to make his professional boxing | | | | Previously, he headlined many pay per view |
| launch on March 24, 2007, against his former client | | | | championship cards and graced the covers of several |
| Tito Ortiz. This was also an attempt to work out | | | | magazines. Also known as "The Huntington Beach |
| their feud, supposedly contending in a three-round | | | | Bad Boy,"his awards and accomplishments includes |
| boxing exhibition. In fact, Ortiz previously sent daring | | | | the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion with 5 title |
| messages to White asserting his determination, as | | | | defenses, a 2006 Golden Gloves, a 2006 Fight of the |
| well as the authenticity of the fight. However, Ortiz | | | | Year, and a |
| left a message indicating his decision to let White "off | | | | 2006 Feud of the Year among others. At present, he |
| the hook." The decision of Ortiz actually left many | | | | has 15 wins, 5 losses and 0 draws. |
| people puzzled and surprised, especially the Nevada | | | | Others speculate that Ortiz's nonappearance is due to |
| State Athletic Commission which previously lauded | | | | his desire to acquire more money since Spike TV |
| Ortiz for hisprofessionalism in these types of events. | | | | intended to broadcast segments of the their fight as |
| Given this, it's hard toimagine what instigated Ortiz's | | | | a promotional tool for the highly anticipated UFC 69. |
| failure to show up. | | | | Meanwhile, others perceive his move as an avoidance |
| Ortiz, a 32-year old American-Mexican mixed martial | | | | of the possibility of his defeat in the hands of White. |