Tito Ortiz to Visit Troops; Update on Evans vs. Ortiz II

Although Tito Ortiz has probably made as many enemies as friends during the run of his 10-year professional MMA career, his latest tour is likely to tip the balance in his favor.

The UFC legend will soon kick off a USO/Multi National Corps-Iraq entertainment tour with a trip to the Washington Metropolitan area to visit wounded service members at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

Teammate and UFC heavyweight Justin McCully, who UFCjunkie.com recently announced as a UFC 76 competitor, will accompany Ortiz on the trip.

The Team Punishment fighters will then head overseas to meet soldiers in the Persian Gulf. Their visit will include autograph and photo sessions with active military members as an official part of the USO lineup of events.

“I am tremendously excited about going overseas with the USO,” Ortiz said of the tour. “The men and women on duty in the Persian Gulf are literally on the front lines, and I’ll do whatever I can to show them how much their service means to everyone back home.“

Ortiz, who is vocal proponent of the U.S. military, recently delivered a speech at an Armed Forces Day ceremony in California and met with soldiers of the California National Guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion.

USO (United Service Organizations Inc.) is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military worldwide. The USO was founded in 1941 in response to a request from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and now is supported by countless actors, musicians, athletes and other celebrities.

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After Ortiz fought Rashad Evans to a draw at UFC 73, the two light heavyweights were unofficially scheduled for a rematch at Cincinnati’s UFC 77 event.

Despite recent rumors to the contrary, the two fighters are still expected to square off at the event, which takes place at U.S. Bank Arena on Oct. 20. A representative from Evans’ camp said that the rematch still has the green light.

The most obvious speed bump, though, could be Ortiz’s contract. Ortiz has one fight remaining on his current deal, and he could want a renewal before he takes the UFC 77 fight. In a recent interview's Ortiz said he now only deals with UFC owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta — not UFC president Dana White — to negotiate his deals.

Ortiz also revealed that the UFC has the right to match any offer he receives from a competing organization.

Tito Rulez