dedication
Tito Ortiz and Anderson Silva lock horns on Saturday night, but not in a cage or UFC octagon.
The two MMA legends will instead battle it out in a boxing ring on a card featuring David Haye, Evander Holyfield, Vitor Belfort and, on commentary, former president Donald Trump.
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Yes, that’s all real. But in order to get the fight in the first place, Ortiz was forced to drop to 195lbs.
The 46-year-old was 240lbs when the fight was agreed, now with the big day upon him, he has shed an incredible three stone.
As you can see from the pictures below, Ortiz is far more lean and cut after preparing for the fight.
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However, he didn’t have a choice if he wanted the fight.
Ortiz told The Sun: “When negotiations started, they said it was mandatory to get to 195 pounds and that was a big problem for me.
“I haven’t weighed that since I was in college aged 20. I have fought at 205 pounds my whole career in the last 24 years.
“I used to be 199 pounds but it was very hard for me get that. Silva demanded me to get to 195.
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“I said 'can we meet half way at 199?' They said no, either you take it or leave it.
“I’m a competitive person and need to take care of my family. I was like, ‘I’ll do 195’.
“They said, ‘if you don’t make 195 we will deduct 20 per cent of your purse - from 195 to 198, and 30 per cent from 198 to 200’.
“If it’s over 200 we probably won’t be fighting so I’ve got get my weight down to 195.
“It’s going to be really hard but I’m going to kill myself trying and do it. I love challenges, I’m fighting one of the best guys in the world.”
Many boxing fans have criticised the card Triller are running in Florida this weekend.
Evander Holyfield has been given a licence to fight as he approaches his 59th birthday and he’s stepped in on one-week’s notice to replace Oscar De la Hoya.
Silva secured an impressive victory over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June. Ortiz will be making his professional boxing debut.
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