Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz. Photo Courtesy Of Tito Ortiz/Getty Images

By FCF Staff

One of mixed-martial-arts first major stars and the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s longest reigning light-heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz, will be inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame prior to fighting Forrest Griffin on July 7th. The UFC 148 bout is expected to be the 37 year-old-fighter’s last.

UFC President Dana White confirmed the pending induction of Ortiz following a press conference today in Denver, Colorado, according to a report from MMA Weekly.com.

The story furthers that Ortiz will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at the UFC Fan Expo on the July 7th weekend.

Ortiz (16-10) has scored victories over established veterans like Wanderlei Silva, Forrest Griffin, Patrick Cote, Vitor Belfort and Ken Shamrock, amongst others, during his career. The charismatic fighter defended the UFC light-heavyweight title a record five times during his reign.

During the height of his career, Ortiz was widely considered to be one of the world’s top fighters, and his well documented feuds with Ken Shamrock and Chuck Liddell helped raise the sport’s profile considerably.

Ortiz will be the ninth fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

The Team Punishment fighter hasn’t competed since December, when he was stopped Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the first round at UFC 140.