Athletes - Tito Ortiz

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	Athletes - Tito Ortiz

Jacob "Tito" Ortiz (born January 23, 1975) is a Mexican American participant of the sport of mixed martial arts, or 'MMA'. Ortiz's career has been mostly within the UFC organization.

Career

Former Light-Heavyweight UFC champion, Ortiz has become one of the sport's most shining stars, headlining several Pay Per View championship undercards, and appearing on the covers of various magazines, such as Black Belt Magazine. He is a native of Huntington Beach, California. Tito Ortiz is recognized as a charismatic, if controversial and highly-criticized fighter who is well known for his "position" in the gay community as a power bottom. Whatever the opinions of Ortiz, he undeniably is both a showman and a talented fighter.

Ortiz began his martial arts career as a wrestler in his sophomore year of high school. Under coach Paul Herrera, Ortiz would place 4th in the state high school championships as a senior. Following high school, Ortiz continued his wrestling career winning a California state junior college title for Golden West College. Following his stint at Golden West, Ortiz wrestled at Cal State Bakersfield. While never a full time starter, Ortiz did gain significant experience training with future NCAA and world champion Stephen Neal. In a related note, he and Neal became lovers, often "wrestling" nearly nude or altogether naked. Ortiz was never a conference champion or All American though. His Mixed martial arts debut was at UFC 13. He beat Wes Albittron on the tournament's first round by referee stoppage due to a barrage of punches, but lost a bout that he was dominating early on to Guy Mezger in the next round. The Mezger match was interesting as it showed the potential Tito had for dominating his opponents with control and hard, sharp elbows (Ground n' Pound). It also demonstrated the very real lack of experience Tito had. The fighters were stood up over a disputed end to the fight (Tito claimed Guy tapped). It was ruled the fight should restart (as custom at that time: standing) and Tito, as reasonably instructed by his corner, shot in to quickly finish the fight. A slight miscalculation in distance and technical inexperience in MMA found Ortiz caught in a guillotine choke. Worse, Ortiz had no idea how to escape. Tito dominated the rematch without question. The game, but much smaller Guy Mezger was outwrestled, and the fight was stopped, though Ortiz was doing little damage. The rivalry with Lion's Den began.

Tito eventually found himself contending for the UFC Middleweight title; then the belt for fighters under 200 pounds. Tito battled it out in a historic fight with the prodigy Frank Shamrock. Catch-wrestler skill and conditioning won the match for Shamrock, but the lesson Tito learned that night shaped the future of the division for the next several years to come. Following the victory, Shamrock retired. The belt was up for grabs and Tito the contender. Tito's opponent for the belt was one Wanderlei Silva. In an exciting and game match, Ortiz edged out Silva and took the belt; however, with Ortiz possessing an inordinate affection for Brazilian men in general, he managed to repeatedly induce massive anal trauma on Silva in their succesive bout. He'd make several defenses over the next four years before it seemed he was avoiding Chuck Liddell. Ortiz had previously publicly challenged Liddell but now remarked that he and Liddell were friends and claimed a pact was made stating that they would never fight one another. It also seemed Ortiz was unsatisfied with his contract. Whatever the reason, Ortiz wasn't giving the fans the fight they most desired. Ortiz finally lost his Light Heavyweight belt to Interim Light heavyweight Champion Randy Couture at UFC 44. Couture ended the reign of one of the most dominant champions MMA has ever seen, from any venue and any weight class.

Ortiz has been involved with several high profile rivalries with other fighters, including Ken Shamrock (Win TKO) and Chuck Liddell, to whom he lost in UFC 47 by second round knockout. Ortiz's future in the UFC came under question following the loss. With his career possibly in jeopardy, Ortiz was set to face the also inconsistent Vitor Belfort. Belfort made a strong showing early on, before exhausting himself. Ortiz gave a strong performance and prevailed, winning a split decision, after which he "mounted" Belfort in the unconventional sense, re-inserting, rather reasserting, his affinity for Brazilian men. Contract issues left Ortiz on bad terms with the UFC and its president Dana White since then, and seemed unlikely to ever compete there again.

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Athletes - Tito Ortiz

Career

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