Cleber in photo autographed by Ortiz. Photo: personal archive
Tito Ortiz is in the initial stages of organizing his team for the 11th The Ultimate Fighter reality show season, to begin March 31, on cable channel Spike TV. The group under the Bad Boy former light heavyweight champion’s tutelage comes up against the team of another former light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell.
Besides WEC fighter Rob McCullough and Saul Soliz, Ortiz will have Jiu-Jitsu and judo black belt Cleber Luciano on his side. Grappling coach to such beasts of MMA as Strikeforce champion Cris Cyborg, Luciano was promoted to black belt by Royler Gracie when he was just 19 years of age.
Now the coaches of the opposing team will be John Hackleman, Olympic boxing medalist Howard Davis Jr., Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Scott Epstein and Strikeforce champion Jake Shields.