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Bisping is the new Ortiz - claims Tito

Michael Bisping polarises MMA fans © Getty Images

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Tito Ortiz has spoken out in defence of Michael Bisping, insisting the Brit's personality will ensure he is remembered long after he quits the UFC.

Ortiz is nearing the end of his controversial MMA career, but in his prime the Huntington Beach Bad Boy was far more than just a UFC light-heavyweight champion. Ortiz dished out some of the best trash talk in the sport's history, once forcing Ken Shamrock to fire back "I'll beat you into a living death" in one of the more embarrassing retorts, ensuring Ortiz became a love/hate figure in MMA.

Bisping is heading the same way after his reaction to Jorge Rivera's mocking at UFC 127 drew mass criticism from the media and public alike, but Ortiz insists certain individuals are just born to court controversy.

"Bisping is Bisping. He's another bad boy," the Californian told FiveKnuckles. "He wants to do his game and that's the way he works. You look back at my fights and I would do some really bad things. When I wasn't the champ I would say some really horrible things and do bad things and people talk about it.

"I think people have their own character and I think they should stick to them, because you remember that fighter after that right? He's doing something right. You may not like him, other people may not like him, but there's some people who do like him.

"He's getting noticed and it's a part of entertainment. It's part of showmanship. You know, there are guys who are disrespectful and guys who aren't. And us who are, sometimes we make mistakes and learn from them and sometimes we don't and continue to do them."

Bisping's reputation as one of the most controversial characters in the UFC appears set to land him a TUF 14 series rivalry with fellow bad boy Chael Sonnen.

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