Hating Tito Ortiz is getting very old

You could make a case that Tito Ortiz, more times than not, gets an unfair shake when MMA fans discuss him and his career. While I feel that most critics are not keeping the big picture in mind, I also can't help but wonder if he is responsible for some of this negative attention.

DISCLAIMER: I am referring to his skill as a fighter only. His skill as an announcer is god-awful...entertaining in a odd way but terrible nonetheless. So that that out of your mind while reading.

The fighter who helped carry the UFC torch through a challenging time is now the butt of several jokes while his skill in the ring has been called into question by the MMA Illuminati. I think people need to take a closer look and cut him some slack.

Over the last five years Tito is 5-3-1. Granted, two of those wins were over a washed up Ken Shamrock. However, he also beat Patrick Cote, Forrest Griffin and Vitor Belfort. All three loses were from two of the most dominant fighters in the weight class...Chuck Liddell and Lyoto Machida (who admits to almost going unconscious from Titos triangle at the end of the fight). Add to that a draw (that could have easily been a win) against the undefeated LHW Champ Rashad Evans and you have the last five years of Titos fight record...all with a badly injured back.

It is also worth pointing out (to those who are not aware) he did not pick his fights...Joe Silva and Zuffa did. He can't help it if they wanted to cash in on the rivalry (and they did) between him and Ken Shamrock.

The last five years are really not that bad.

In fact, it's very similar or better than other featured UFC fighters during the same time frame. So why the extra harshness for Tito?

Is it a "live by the sword...die by the sword" situation? Is the brash "Bad Boy" whose grave digger celebration and incessant trash talking getting what he deserves?

Is it is the Dana White Effect? Many have learned the hard way what happens when you cross Mr White...something that Tito has done on a regualr basis?

Is it that the fraternity of fighters does not accept him and has cast him out as a leper? Hard to believe as Tito has always been a champion for fighters rights...making more money etc...

Or maybe he is just a very easy target at the low end of a very rough and unforgiving totem pole. Is it just too easy to hate Tito Ortiz?

If that is the reason, it's a stupid one.

Charles "Mask" Lewis (RIP) had many detractors who criticized him and his brand as being "bad for the sport"...in fact, they even used that as a tag line in an advertisement. However, once the finality of death took him away...all you heard was the indisputable positives of his life and contributions to the sport. Don't you think Mask would have loved to hear how
important everyone thought he was...when he was alive?

Consider this when thinking of Tito. I am not suggesting that you throw any pity his way...he certainly does not need it. However, keep a counterbalance in mind when trashing his career. It's easy to Pig Pile on Tito and talk about his big head or his porn star wife or his fading skills.

However, we shouldn't forget what he did to help the sport that we all love get to this place. At the risk of sounding over-dramatic, what if he were to die tomorrow? Clearly he would be
remembered as a pioneer. Why not think of him in those terms now?

Just don't let him announce another fight card.