Flashback Friday: Chael Sonnen Pinfalled Tito Ortiz?!
Chael Sonnen and Tito Ortiz will square off against each other Jan. 21 at Bellator 170, but it won't be the first time the two have faced each other in the realm of combat.
On Jan. 23, 1998—Ortiz's birthday—the two met in a college wrestling match when The University of Oregon hosted Cal State Bakersfield. Sonnen wrestled at 177 for Oregon, while Ortiz was was at 190 for Bakersfield. In true gangster fashion, Sonnen bumped up a weight to face Ortiz anyway, pinning him with a headlock in just 44 seconds. Our brothers on the mats, FloWrestling, have the exclusive video.
Ortiz had no idea who Sonnen was. He said that loss "ruined him" and that he has wanted another crack at Chael ever since.
He will get his chance Jan. 21.