Tito Ortiz's mixed martial arts career has, much like the man himself, evolved over time.
A MMA debut at UFC 13 in 1997 - despite still being in college and fighting as an amateur, meaning he received no prize money or contracts, Ortiz garnered a runner-up finish in the Light Heavyweight Championship - has paved the way for an illustrious career that has included the most UFC fights in history (27), the most wins in the Light Heavyweight division (15), the most championship fights in the Light Heavyweight division (9) and, of course, ownership of the title of Light Heavyweight Champion, a distinction he held from April 2000 to Sep. 2003. Ortiz's professional life has also included a number of major battles - both in the octagon and via the media - with other early MMA stars like Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin and Ken Shamrock and a one-time bad boy persona built off a relationship with adult film actress Jenna Jameson and arrests for both DUI and domestic violence.
One of the biggest early personalities in the sport, Ortiz, who just recently turned 40, has now become something of an elder statesman for a new generation of mixed martial arts stars that includes Urijah Faber, Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. While Ortiz no longer enjoys the same national prominence he once did - by 2006, he'd become the biggest pay-per-view draw the sport had to offer - he's still a revered and respected member of the MMA brother - and sister - hood.
Ortiz, set to face off against Liam McGeary in Bellator 142: Dynamite on Sep. 19, 2015 at SAP Center in San Jose, California, stopped by the red carpet at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2015 at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on Thursday to chat with HNGN about his family, his health and, of course, his impending battle at Bellator 142.
Now a father to three sons - Jacob, Journey Jette and Jesse Jameson - Ortiz's overall priorities have shifted. The focus and intensity that originally made him a star in the sport, on the other hand, haven't.
What brings you here today?
My kids begged me to take them to this so I made a couple of calls and pulled some strings. At the end of the day I'm a dad and I try to give my kids everything I never had as a kid. My true inspiration is to give everything to my kids that I never had, I had a really rough upbringing and I want to break that chain. I've broken the chain and I want to give my kids happiness every single day. When they wake up and hop on me and say; "Dad I love you," that is what means the most to me.
How was turning 40?
Turning 40! I feel better now than when I turned 30. I really think 40 is the new 30. My mind is right and everything at home is happy, my body is healthy after going through some surgeries I'm now healed 100%. My surgeon was great.
How long ago was that?
I had surgery in 2009, then again in 2012. I had back surgery and two neck surgeries. But the training is going great and everything is going perfect. I think it's all about the mindset and being in a positive environment. I do everything right and I have great support, my girlfriend Amber Nichole Miller has been in my right pocket and been with me and supported me with my kids so I'm very, very, lucky.
You have a fight coming up are those surgeries a concern?
I'm not nervous at all. I just have to do the work. If I do all the work and it turns out perfect I'll have no problems. I'll be focused and will be world champion again. I was the first light heavyweight UFC champion and I'll be the first MMA fighter to go to two major organizations and win titles in both organizations. My goal is to win the title in Bellator and that's going to be my job.
You've been doing this for about 18 years and the sport now has a certain level of respect it never used to have, how does it feel to be a pioneer?
Thank you, I do feel like a pioneer of it. I've been able to mature and improve my mixed martial arts game completely; I just never stop learning and whenever I think I know enough I just keep working and do more. Be it wrestling or jujitsu, boxing or kickboxing, weight training, cardio just doing all of the right things now that I'm super healthy and my minds right.
With reporting by Steve Gidlow.
