Michael David Smith: Cain Velasquez vs. Frank Mir, Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin Confirmed by Lorenzo Fertitta

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

 In a wide-ranging late-night chat with his Twitter followers, UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed several pieces of news, including plans to book Cain Velasquez vs. Frank Mir and Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin.

Fertitta, who has more than 76,000 followers on his verified Twitter account, said late Thursday night that he'd answer questions from fans. Among the pieces of information he provided are that Velasquez will fight Mir in a bout that may determine the No. 1 contender for the upcoming heavyweight title fight between Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem. Fertitta also said a third fight between Ortiz and Griffin is coming. Ortiz beat Griffin by split decision at UFC 59 in 2006, and Griffin beat Ortiz by split decision at UFC 106 in 2009.
In addition to those fights, Fertitta offered his opinions and plans on a variety of issues including:

--The dos Santos-Overeem fight is planned for Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas.
--Fertitta called a potential superfight between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and featherweight champion Jose Aldo a "good idea."
--Despite Nick Diaz's positive marijuana test, Fertitta still thinks Diaz has a future in the Octagon. Fertitta wrote, "really like the kid just needs to get it together. I'm a sap for real fighters."
--Fertitta agrees with UFC President Dana White that Jason "Mayhem" Miller looked "terrible" in his loss to Michael Bisping.
--Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber is planned for July 7 in Las Vegas, and Rich Franklin might return for that event as well.
--It hasn't been determined yet whether Carlos Condit will defend the interim welterweight title or wait to fight Georges St. Pierre.
--Fertitta likes the potential of welterweight Stephen Thompson, a karate specialist whose head kick won the Knockout of the Night bonus at UFC 143.
--Fertitta, who always looks ripped, says he can bench press 340 pounds.
--Asked if Jon Jones might fight Anderson Silva some day, Fertitta said, "maybe."
--The UFC would be interested in signing Bellator's Hector Lombard and Alexander Shlemenko.
--Chuck Liddell is Fertitta's favorite fighter.
--Fertitta would still consider signing Fedor Emelianenko, if it were at the right price.
--The upcoming Brazilian season of The Ultimate Fighter will likely be available with English subtitles on UFC.com.