Tito Ortiz – MMA Fighter Profile
Tito Ortiz was born on January 23, 1975 in Huntington Beach, California. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” is his nickname.
As a sophomore at Huntington Beach High School, Ortiz began wrestling and as a senior finished fourth in the state high school championships. At Golden West College and later Cal State Bakersfield, he became a wrestler. While at Golden West, he won two California state junior college titles.
At UFC 13, Ortiz made his mixed martial arts debut for no money. He, in an alternate bout via TKO, destroyed Wes Albritton. By first round guillotine choke, he lost to Guy Mezger in his next contest. He avenged his earlier loss to Mezger via first round TKO and went on the win three straight bouts.
In his next fight to Frank Shamrock, he lost the bout. After their fight when Shamrock vacated his belt, Ortiz went on to defeat Wanderlei Silva by decision to become champion. He then defended his belt five times.To Ortiz’s UFC light heavyweight crown, Chuck Liddell eventually became the number one contender. Having trained together formerly, they were friends and Ortiz did not want to fight against him. Interim title fight between Randy Couture and Liddell was declared. Ortiz had already lost his belt to Couture at UFC 44 and at UFC 47; Ortiz fell by way of KO against Liddell. He once again lost to Liddell, this time by TKO, At UFC 66.Fighting to a controversial draw against the speedy handed Rashad Evans, and then losing a decision to newly crowned king Lyoto Machida, Ortiz finished off his UFC contract by going 0-1-1. Ortiz chose not to resign with UFC after the Machida fight.
Ortiz was expected to return in August of 2009 but thing were unclear. He on November 21, 2009, faced Forrest Griffin, and lost the bout in Decision (Split) with the record of 15-7-1.
