Fighter Profile: Tito "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Ortiz

Height: 6’2” Weight: 205

Born: Huntington Beach, CA

Fights Out Of: Huntington Beach, CA

Team: Team Punishment

Fighting Style: Wrestling, Ground and Pound

Accolades: Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, ADCC third place finish

Tito Ortiz Biography:

Born January 23, 1975 in Huntington Beach, CA, Tito Ortiz is the youngest of four brothers. His dad is Mexican-American and his mother is European American. Tito Ortiz has three boys, one from his ex-wife Kristen, and two twin boys from his current girlfriend, adult film megastar Jenna Jameson.

Ortiz in the UFC:

The Huntington Beach Bad Boy has a storied history with the UFC. Known for his intense ground and pound and intimidating ring entrances, he marched onto the scene at UFC 13 in 1997. Tito’s first bout happened while he was still a student, and he fought for no money, contract, or promise. Tito blasted his way to victory in his debut in just 31 seconds of round number one by referee stoppage over Wes Albritton. He was picked as a replacement later that evening to fight the veteran Guy Mezger and lost via submission at 2:00 in round number 1, but secured his place as a legit contender.

After a :16 second drumming of Jeremy Screeton at West Coast NHB Championships, Ortiz returned to the Octagon to rattle off two victories. One of those wins avenged his previous loss to Guy Mezger as Ortiz pummeled Mezger and won via TKO due to strikes in the first round. Six months later Ortiz got his first taste of true MMA competition when “The Legend” Frank Shamrock submitted him with strikes in a battle of attrition in round number 4 to maintain his belt. Shamrock vacated the championship after the win, and Ortiz battled Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva in Tokyo, Japan just 7 months later, and walked away with the new UFC Light Heavyweight Strap across his waist. That not only became an instant classic, but also propelled Tito into instant stardom within the growing MMA community.

Ortiz defended his title a then record of five times against world class competition and solidified his name amongst MMA’s all time greatest ring warriors. He beat Japanese great Yuki Kondo, UFC Hall of Famer Evan Tanner, Australian scrapper Elvis Sinosic, Belarus Legend Vladimir Matyushenko, and storied legend Ken Shamrock. Ortiz had made his name, rising to the top as the best in the world, and solidifying his ground and pound as his trademark. Ortiz was no stranger to controversy, but he backed it up between the fences, and then met his match.

In September of 2003 Ortiz lost his title by unanimous decision to “Captain America” Randy Couture, and then followed with a devastating knockout loss to the “Iceman” Chuck Liddell. Ortiz followed those devastating losses by reinstating his dominance and rattling off five decisive victories against MMA top competition. Ortiz went to decision against Canadian brawler Patrick Cote, “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort, and TUF superstar Forrest Griffin. After his stint as coach on The Ultimate Fighter and restaking his claim as MMA elite, he pummeled Ken Shamrock in two consecutive bouts, only to follow those wins with another vicious KO at the hands of the Liddell in front of a record setting audience at UFC 66 in Las Vegas.

Ortiz finished off his UFC contract by going 0-1-1, fighting to a controversial draw against the speedy handed Rashad Evans, and then losing a decision to newly crowned king Lyoto Machida.

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Ortiz Leaving the UFC:

After the Machida fight, Ortiz chose not to resign with UFC. Tito has a storied past with UFC president Dana White, and has sited he’d never fight for that organization again, which makes him the most highly touted free-agent on the market. Ortiz’s fame has come from as much in the ring as out, after his once sweet relationship with White went sour.

Ortiz is still on the market, and is expected to return in August of 2009, but it is unclear with what organization although comments in late June 2009 at the UCFC Rumble on the Rivers point toward Ortiz leaning towards signing with Strikeforce. His return is imminent, and his fans are desperately waiting to see the Huntington Beach Bad Boy return to his winning ways again. As controversial as Ortiz has been, he may be the most intimidating fighter in MMA history to march the isle to the ring. He is a fan favorite and a pioneer in the sport, and no doubt looks to once again don the championship belt of whatever organization he chooses to sign with.

Tito Ortiz in Business:

Ortiz is founder and CEO of Punishment Athletics, a leading MMA apparel company and also the name of his gym which is centered in Huntington Beach, CA, with another location in Big Bear. Tito is known industry wide as a legitimate contender in anything he sets out to accomplish, and continues to prove his worth in any avenue he attempts to enter.

From primetime television, to training fighters, Ortiz is a legend, a pioneer, and has chiseled his way into the folklore of modern MMA in one way or another with every fan.

Recent Tito Ortiz MMA News:

• Lost to Forrest Griffin by Split Decision at UFC 106 on November 21, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada - UFC 106 results

• Named as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 11 opposite of Chuck Liddell on December 5, 2009

• Will face Chuck Liddell after the airing of The Ultimate Fighter Season 11

By David Fennell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published June 2009, Updated December 2009