UFC 121 Preview: Can Tito Ortiz Remain Relevant in Light-Heavyweight Division?

It feels like an eternity, but at one time Tito Ortiz reigned atop the UFC Light-Heavyweight division.

However, following his split decision loss to Forrest Griffin last year and going 0-3-1 in his last four fights, Ortiz now finds himself fighting to stay relevant within the most stacked division in UFC.

Ortiz will square off against Matt Hamill at UFC 121 on one of the anticipated cards of the year, headlined by UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

Hamill and Ortiz share some history together, as both men appeared on The Ultimate Fighter, with Ortiz handpicking Hamill on his team. Hamill was successful on the reality show and eventually earned himself a UFC contract.

Hamill will now get a chance to put his wrestling skills on display in a classic student vs. teacher matchup. While Hamill will look to prove himself against his former coach, Ortiz will be desperately looking to earn a win. The last time Ortiz tasted victory in UFC was in 2006, when he dominated an old and sluggish Ken Shamrock.

But if Ortiz is able to walk away with a victory next weekend, how relevant will he be among a younger, talented corps of fighters in the 205-lb. division?

Ortiz doesn't fall short of confidence. There's no doubt that Ortiz is a competitive fighter and is a handful to deal with for any opponent, but that's usually when he's injury-free, and the brash former UFC champion is on the downside of his career at 35 years old.

Much like fading legends Wanderlei Silva and Chuck Liddell, Ortiz hasn't evolved enough to compete with the better fighters in the division. He might still possess the drive and confidence of a fighter, but he certainly does not carry the ability to fight anymore. His skills are nothing more than average.

Due to his injuries, Ortiz has lost some mobility and possibly some strength in his legs, which prevents him from scoring successful takedowns on his opponents. While he has always been praised for his technical striking, he doesn't have enough power to knock guys down with one shot. Fighters like Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida would have their way with him.

The matchup between Ortiz and Hamill should be one of the more entertaining and competitive bouts of the night, and it will determine their status in the light-heavyweight division.

For Hamill, it could boost his confidence as a fighter and possibly propel him to more competitive fights.

For Ortiz, it would add a win to his remarkable résumé, but that's about it.