DUSSELDORF, Germany Light heavyweight Tito Ortiz (15-8-1 MMA, 14-8-1 UFC) still has a job in the UFC.
In fact, he's got a big job coming up in March, according to UFC president Dana White.
White today confirmed that "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" meets Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in March 2011, possibly at UFC 128.
UFC U.K. president Marshall Zelaznik on Thursday told MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com) that a potential March event, UFC 128, could take place in the United Arab Emirates, possibly in Abu Dhabi, thought other cities also are under consideration.
"I know there's been talk of March 19 potentially happening," Zelaznik said. "While we're looking at delivering a pay-per-view (event) around that time, nothing's been defined in terms of whether Abu Dhabi gets it or someone else."
White did not specify a date for Ortiz vs. Nogueira.
Following a recent UFC 121 decision loss to Matt Hamill, Ortiz faced an uncertain future in the UFC. The former champ and "The Ultimate Fighter 3" coach is now winless (0-4-1) in his past five fights, and he hasn't posted a win in more than four years (Ken Shamrock in October 2006). However, the fights have come against some of the division's top fighters, including Chuck Liddell, Rashad Evans (draw), Lyoto Machida, Forrest Griffin and Hamill.
Nogueira, the twin brother of former UFC champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, recent suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Ryan Bader in a key UFC 119 bout. Prior to the defeat, the PRIDE vet owned a seven-fight win streak, which included UFC wins over Luiz Cane (which earned a "KO of the Night" bonus) and Jason Brilz ("Fight of the Night").
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