Las Vegas Weekly

November 20, 2009 · 11:03 AM

Tito Ortiz makes return against Forrest Griffin in UFC 106

By Robin Leach

Tito Ortiz.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

The stars will be shining brightly in Las Vegas yet again this weekend, and I’m not talking about what a KO’d fighter might be seeing! Celebrity fight fans are all set to flock ringside for Tito Ortiz’s return to UFC 106 at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tito’s ladylove, former porn princess Jenna Jameson, also will be front row tomorrow night to root for her bad boy beau from Huntington Beach, Calif.

Tito is fighting Forrest Griffin, who lost to Anderson Silva in UFC 101. This is Tito’s first fight since May of last year when Lyoto Machida defeated him. Tito and Forrest last met in 2006, when Tito won in a controversial split decision.

Here’s the YouTube video of Tito on his very first day of workouts for this fight.

Tito has been one of UFC’s biggest star draws and the ultimate fan favorite over the years, but he’s been away for 14-plus months (446 days, his longest layoff since 1998) dealing with back surgery -- and also what appeared to be a tough contract standoff with his boss and friend UFC President Dana White. Apparently, the two have reconciled and resolved their differences, and Tito has a new, larger payday than before for six new fights, this being the first.

Photo: ForrestGriffin.net

Forrest Griffin.

Tito returns to the ring at age 34 weighing a trim 205 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame. He was champion from April 2000 until September 2003 with an undefeated record. It now stands at 14-6-1 in the UFC and 16-6-1 as a pro. His opponent is identical in height and weight but four years younger. Forrest’s only championship reign was for six months last year. His record is 15-6 as a professional and 7-4 in the UFC.

When the UFC comes back from its now global promotions to its hometown, there’s always a slew of parties. Here’s the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

*Win or lose, Tito will take Jenna in his arms to his after-fight party at Tao in The Venetian.

*Forrest will be directly across the Strip at Jet in The Mirage.

*Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir will host the official UFC 106 after-party at LAX in the Luxor.

Photo: Tryst

MMA stud Tito Ortiz and Las Vegas-born Jenna Jameson.

*UFC fighter Anthony “Rumble” Johnson fights Josh Koscheck in a highly anticipated undercard match and then hosts a bash at Studio 54 in MGM Grand.

*MMA ring girl Natasha Wicks will host the Hawaiian Tropic Zone after-party in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile that follows the official closed-circuit viewing on its 36-foot-tall plasma screen.

*UFC champion Amir Sadollah will host the official Tap Out after-bash at Prive in Planet Hollywood.

We will tweet the Tito Ortiz-Forrest Griffin result as soon as it happens, and a full photo report of the action and the party fun will follow right here at Vegas DeLuxe.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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