Bjorn Rebney discusses Tito Ortiz’s return to MMA & DUI

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz hasn’t fought since 2012, where he lost to Forrest Griffin by unanimous decision. Following that loss, Ortiz retired from MMA only to come out of retirement about a year later to fight former training partner Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the Bellator cage. Unfortunately Ortiz pulled out of that fight about a week before due to a neck injury.

Ortiz also made news when he was arrested for DWI in Los Angeles earlier this month. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney spoke with MMAFighting.com on Monday and had this to say when asked about Ortiz’s future and legal issues:

“It’s an unsettling conversation to have a specialist tell you that with the right kind of blow to the neck or spine, paralysis could result,” said Rebney when asked about Ortiz’s return. “The concern is still there. But just like any kind of injury he may be able to come back from it. Right now there isn’t a definite answer on when he could come back.”

“We take DWI’s and drunk driving ridiculously seriously. My hope is that he can put that behind him. Thankfully nobody, including himself, was injured in the situation. It’s a serious situation. It’s not a joke. It’s something we take seriously and that everybody should take seriously.”