Tito Ortiz catches heat for homophobic comments towards Chael Sonnen

On January 21st, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz, and former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen will step into the cage under the Bellator MMA banner in a highly anticipated matchup.

When Sonnen celebrated the end of his two-year suspension several months ago, it was announced that he was coming out of retirement, and had already signed an exclusive multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. In addition, Sonnen called out former UFC champ Tito Ortiz for his first Bellator MMA fight. Ultimately, the pair were booked to fight in the main event of Bellator 170 on January 21st, a date targeted by Ortiz due to the fact that it’s just two days before his birthday.

Ahead of the event, both men attended Bellator 163 this past weekend for promotional duties. During which, Sonnen stated that somebody needed to “tell Tito Ortiz his zipper is down,” because, “This is embarrassing!”

When Ortiz caught word of Sonnen’s comments during a cageside interview, he fired back by saying: “I didn’t know he was gay, but that’s his problem.”

Ortiz then followed up his statement with another one on Twitter, in which he said:

.@ChaelSonnen didnt know u were gay.Looking @my crotch 2 see if my zipper was down?I dont swing that way but I have a few friends that do.

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) November 5, 2016

While fans criticized Ortiz for the comments, he then attempted to do some damage control:

Now I have to be politically correct!! You ppl have no sense of humor!

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) November 5, 2016

🏳️‍🌈👍🏼

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) November 5, 2016

‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ then finished his Twitter rant with a message for Sonnen:

.@ChaelSonnen I haven't called anyone my bitch in a long time! Guess what on January 21st 2017 @TheForum you will be my BITCH! #TeamOrtiz

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) November 5, 2016

Ortiz will be entering the fight on a loss, the first of his Bellator MMA career, after going 2-0 in the promotion. The loss came at the hands of Liam McGeary, who picked up a 1st round submission win over Ortiz over a year ago. Sonnen on the other hand will similarly be entering the fight on a loss. Prior to being suspended for 2-years, Sonnen dropped a 1st round TKO to Rashad Evans in November of 2013.