UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz has given his early backing to Donald Cerrone ahead of “Cowboy’s” main event clash with Conor McGregor 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.”
