I went to UFC 56 in Las Vegas in November.. I gained some respect for Tito that night.. He was in the crowd watching the fight as he was last night.. They were promoting him and Shamrock that night as the next two coaches for the next Ultimate Fighter series.. Everytime they showed him on the big screen the crowd booed as they did last night, and he always does the mock crying thing which is kind of funny.. Anyways, after all was said and done, Tito left ringside, walked up through the crowd and slowly made his way through the arena and into the lobby,, I stress the "slowly" as he stopped for every single autograph and picture taken along the way,, he did not turn one request down,, and there were a lot of them.. Hard to believe all these people were booing him so much an hour or 2 earlier and now thousands of them want his autograph and picture.. It must have taken him an hour and a half to get from ringside to the lobby area of the MGM Grand Garden Arena.. In a day and age where many athletes are spoiled and don't give fans the time of day,, I give the UFC fighters, and especially Ortiz that day , a lot of credit for taking all that time for the fans and trying to promote their sport..
1 1/2 hours to get to the Lobby ? I was at the fight and He walked right by us and He was in the Red Square area within 10 minutes and walking very fast and still getting booed all the way. He really didn't stop hardly at all for Autographs that I noticed. He's still my favorite... favorite to get beat as I can't stand his act !Vancouver fan said:
Kermit,, not sure what you are talking about?? the fights on this past Saturday night or the UFC 56 I was talking about in November that I attended.. Tito walked from ringside up the stairs in the stadium through the crowd (stopping for all pics and autographs) and onto the concourse level where all the souvenior and concessions are, and at that point stopped for everyone that came his way.. I had to wait about 40 minutes but was able to get a picture with him.. He still wasn't in the lobby at this point , but a friend of mine got his autograph about a half hour later in the lobby as well as many other autographs, like Chris Leben ,Tim Sylvia, Stephan Bonnar and George St.Pierre.. About an hour after the fight in the lobby area of the MGM Grand Garden Arena all the fighters show up ,, as well as a lot of nice looking scantily clad slutty women.. Great place to talk to and meet the fighters.. Only guys I didn't see well after the fights for autographs was Rich Franklin and Nate Quarry (who was probably still in a coma after getting rocked by Franklin in the first round)... Commissioner Dana White also sped by everyone in a rush to get out.. Was a neat experience,, I'd definitely go back to Vegas to watch another one..
