Dana White confirms Tito Ortiz and B.J. Penn as future Hall of Famers – UFC News
Dana White, President of UFC, revealed earlier today that Tito Ortiz and B.J. Penn are future Hall of Famers. According to White, both superstars are on their way to achieve the status that Ken Shamrock, Matt Hughes, Royce Gracie and Dan Severn are enjoying
right now.
It should be noted here that Dana White has had problems with Ortiz over and over again. However, despite his issues with Ortiz, White has promised him Hall of Famer status. White revealed, “Despite my personal problems with Tito, he belongs in. He was the
champion when we first bought this thing. The fact that Tito is still here, Tito and I have had our moments, but it doesn't change what he did for the company. The beef between me and Tito, Chuck and Tito, the fact is, that played a huge role in helping making
this thing as big as it is. The thing about B.J. Penn is that what he brought to the lightweight division, there was a point in time when we first bought this company when people thought guys in the lighter weight divisions could't be stars and couldn't see
pay-per-views and couldn't cross over.”
Appreciating Penn’s efforts of bringing up the lightweight level, White said that Penn lifted up the lightweight stage when most people thought lightweight fighters cannot be stars. According to White, Penn, who announced his retirement last year in October,
will be back. White added that Penn is still a popular fighter and fans want him back so probably he will show up sometime soon.
He added that B.J. Penn was the first ever UFC superstar at the lightweight level and he has really given a boost to the stage since then.
For now, that is all White had to say. According to him, Tito and Penn have been great additions to the UFC stage. Despite the fact that he has personal issues with Tito, he wants him to be in the UFC Hall of Fame. Sooner or later, whenever Tito retires,
his Hall of Fame seat is waiting for him. It is good news for both the fighters for now that they have their place secured in the Hall of Fame.
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