THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT. DANA WHITE'S PRESS CONFERENCE NOTES AND THOUGHTS

Notes from UFC Press Conference with Dana White by new TLOS contributing columnist Phil Lanides

UFC President Dana White held a big press conference today, at which he confirmed several fighter signings that had been rumored for the last few weeks, as well as delved into the details of the negotiations with Fedor Emelianenko.

Former UFC poster boy “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz has returned to the fold, as has former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort. White said that Ortiz will most likely fight Mark “The Hammer” Coleman in December, while Belfort will take Dan Henderson’s place in the UFC 103 main event slot against Rich Franklin. Hendo, meanwhile, will get the next shot at middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva.

Ortiz and Belfort were only two of the signings that White announced. In addition, former Affliction fighters Paul Daley, Dan Lauzon, Rafaello Oliveira, Ben Rothwell, and Chase Gormley were added to the UFC roster, while Javier Vasquez, L.C. Davis, and Mark Hominick will join the ranks of the WEC.

The return of Ortiz is quite interesting. A rather one-dimensional fighter known for his ground and pound, his feud with White has been legendary. Ortiz, however, says he’s completely healthy for the first time since 2002. It will be fascinating to see how his career ends up. Belfort is on a four-fight win streak since 2006, and has shown flashes of brilliance that earned him the nickname “The Phenom.” Definitely some great signings for the UFC.