UFC 140 Results: 5 Questions Tito Ortiz Must Answer in His Next Fight

Tito Ortiz took to the cage once again last night at UFC 140 in Toronto, Canada. Now 36 years of age, many expected this to be Tito's last fight inside the octagon.

Ortiz took on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, only to lose via TKO after repeated blows to the ribs that Ortiz failed to defend himself from.

Now going by "The People's Champion", Ortiz is now an unbelievable 1-7 in his last eight fights. It's hard to believe UFC president Dana White even lets him continue.

Joe Rogan asked Tito after the loss if this was his last fight in the UFC, and Ortiz responded by telling his fans that his next fight is going to the last, regardless of outcome.

Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell used to be the faces of mixed martial arts years ago but have since fallen from grace.

Ortiz needs to answer a few questions in this next and last fight, to prove to the world of mixed martial arts that he can still throw down with the best and to save his diminishing reputation.

Be sure to stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 140. B/R is your home for complete coverage of the December 10 fight card, including results and post-fight analysis.

How Is That Rib Doing?

Ortiz has been falling victim to ruthless body strikes as of late. He was dropped by a knee to the body against Lyoto Machida at UFC 84 and also by Rashad Evans in August.

After losing by TKO after multiple punches to the ribs by Nogueira, Tito admitted that his ribs have been causing him problems.

Ortiz explained to Joe Rogan that Nogueira was hitting him in the same spot that Evans had hurt him at, and that every time he got hit there he would feel the wind getting knocked out of him.

If Ortiz hopes to be successful in his next bout; whoever his opponent may be, he needs to hope that those ribs are completely healed, because he obviously looked like he was in agony during last night's fight.

Can He Still Ground-and-Pound with the Best?

During the days of Tito Ortiz's dominance, he would win fights by getting takedowns and punishing opponents from the top position. He was one of the best in the business at ground-and-pound.

Lately, he has not been able to follow that game plan. He's been a punching bag and a stepping stone for the past few years.

If Ortiz wants to go out with a victory, he must fight like the fighter we were used to watching years ago. He must work his takedowns, and must keep his opponent from escaping while he finishes the fight from the top. 

In order to get a win, Ortiz must quit dancing around the ring and eating punches, and get back to wrestling.

Can He Even Make It Through Three Rounds?

In his past two outings, Ortiz hasn't even made it to the third round. Rashad Evans finished him in the second, and, obviously, Nogueira in the first.

Ortiz has looked tired and out of shape in most of his recent fights, not only those two losses.

One can blame his injured ribs if they want to, but that can not be the only reason for his recent failures. It doesn't seem as if he has the heart that he once had and he doesn't seem to get as upset after a loss anymore.

If Ortiz wants to have his hand raised one last time, he needs to be more motivated during training than he's ever been. He needs to get himself into excellent shape, because he must to prove that he can survive three rounds of action or else he's doomed to be finished again.

Can He Fight from His Back?

Years ago, Ortiz was still deadly even when he was taken down on his back. Instead of working for a reversal or escape, he would throw punches and elbows from the bottom position, hoping to still score points from the judges.

Ortiz has since seemed to have lost that aggressiveness. Every time he is put on his back he curls up into a ball and tries to protect his face. 

The Ortiz that used to win fights was a ruthless striker, putting more effort int his offense than his defense. He seems timid now, afraid of getting too hurt.

He has to become the cold-blooded killer that he once was inside the octagon if he doesn't want to finish his UFC career on a 1-8 run.

Is He Actually Finished?

Tito Ortiz doesn't want to earn the reputation of a certain Green Bay Packer great. He's told the world that he will retire after this next fight, so he mustn't go back on his word.

Ortiz has had a tremendous career inside the UFC. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest champions to ever set foot inside the octagon. He successfully defended his belt five times, still a UFC record to this day.

Unfortunately for him there is no chance that he will ever become that quality of fighter again. If he wins his next fight and entertains the crowd, he can leave the UFC with his head held high. But if he tries to come back and fight again, he risks becoming the laughing stock of mixed martial arts.

Be sure to stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 140. B/R is your home for complete coverage of the December 10 fight card, including results and post-fight analysis.