5 Things You Might Not Know About Tito Ortiz

This place is going nuts for Tito. #TitoVsAlberto pic.twitter.com/E2Z13wF3cX

— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) December 8, 2019

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz’s career is a case study on a young athlete’s dream to fight while also transforming himself into a charismatic and polarizing figure in the sport. Ortiz’s brash, larger-than-life personality and sharp-witted trash talk helped him maintain relevance and draw lucrative opportunities for himself. While he stepped on some toes and incited antagonism for his actions, most infamously from UFC CEO Dana White, the fact remains indisputable that during his prime, Ortiz was a great fighter. With that, let’s take a look at five things you might not know about the pioneering MMA figure.

Trading MMA Gloves for Wrestling Shoes

Ortiz leveraged his MMA persona and harnessed it during his stint as a professional wrestler on Total Nonstop Action. In May 2005, he made a special appearance as a guest referee at TNA’s Hard Justice officiating the NWA world heavyweight championship title match between champion Jeff Jarrett and challenger A.J. Styles. Ortiz intervened to change the course of the clash, knocking out Jarrett with a right hook that allowed Styles to win the championship. He continued working with the organization in sporadic intervals, including the Bound for Glory pay-per-view, where his intervention played a decisive role yet again in the clash between Jarrett and Rhino. He also featured as the mysterious figure behind the #August1Warning campaign and the involvement culminated into a storyline with the Aces & Eights faction.

Beyond the Octagon to the silver screen

The California native showcased his flair for entertainment making cameo appearances in films like the 2008 comedy movie “Zombie Strippers” and Jet Li’s action drama “Cradle 2 the Grave.” He has also extended his horizon by featuring in music videos, notably appearing in metal band Korn’s “Got the Life” and Seether’s “Truth.” The former UFC champ was also a playable character in the 2000 video game Razor Freestyle Scooter while also pulling a cameo effort in the Turkish film Valley of the Wolves: Iraq. Beyond that, he has also appeared on a bunch of reality shows like Hell’s Kitchen, and played an MMA fighter named Derek Petrov on an episode of CSI: NY titled "Clean Sweep.”

Throwing his hat into the political ring

Ortiz ran for the city council in his hometown of Huntington Beach, Calif., in 2020 harboring aspirations of eventually assuming the position of mayor. He was elected as one of the winners of the open seats and assumed the role of Mayor Pro Tempore of Huntintgon Beach on December 7, 2020. However, much like his fighting career, his political tenure was a turbulent one marred by controversy. On November 2020, he led a curfew breaker protest against COVID-19 protocols and regulations. Following that, he also came under the radar after reports surfaced that he filed for unemployment despite his employment status. He eventually resigned from the office in June 2021 after less than six months in position.

Legal struggles and tribulations

If it wasn’t evident by now, Ortiz has always been a troublemaker and a rabble-rouser during his political run. He has also been arrested on DUI charges in Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2014 and was subsequently sentenced to three years probation, an undisclosed fine, and an obligation to enroll in an alcohol education program.

Tasting the legacy and champion’s corner

Ortiz expanded his venture into the restaurant business with Cape Coral which boasts his championships as proud decorations. The menu is curated around his love for Mexican cuisine, rooted in local community, where Ortiz’s vision of a gathering place where patrons can have great food, drinks, and company comes to life.