Injured Tito Ortiz reportedly out of Bellator 106 pay-per-view headliner

A week before its debut event on pay-per-view, Bellator MMA has apparently lost one of its headliners.

An injury reportedly has forced Tito Ortiz (16-11-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) out of his light-heavyweight main event with fellow ex-UFC 205-pound Quinton Jackson (32-11 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) at Bellator 106.

MMAjunkie.com could not immediately reach Bellator officials or fighter representatives for comment. However, MMAFighting.com reported that Ortiz recently suffered a neck injury and was forced off the lineup.

However, as of Friday afternoon, Bellator officials had not made any official announcement.

If the injury is legit it’s not clear if a replacement would be sought or if a co-headliner and rematch between lightweight champion Eddie Chandler (12-0 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) and Eddie Alvarez (24-3 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) would be promoted to the top spot.

Bellator 106 takes place next Saturday, Nov. 2, at California’s Long Beach Arena. The main card marks the organizations first PPV show following 105 events that aired on various cable outlets. Bellator 106's prelims air on Spike TV and stream on Spike.com.

Bellator had signed Ortiz and Jackson, who both had fallings-out with the UFC, and booked them for the PPV headliner in hopes of attracting casual MMA fans with the duo’s name recognition. The event’s significant marketing push focused heavily on the headliner, though the PPV lineup also includes three title fights.

Earlier in the day, Ortiz posted cryptic tweets that suggested a problem. As one graphic read: “I know everything happens for a reason, but sometimes I wish I knew what that reason was.”

For more on Bellator 106, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Tito Ortiz)