UFC Icon Tito Ortiz Launches Furious Attack on Governor Gavin Newsom
Mixed martial arts legend Tito Ortiz, the celebrated Hall of Famer known as 'The Huntington Beach Bad Boy,' has unleashed a blistering verbal assault on California Governor Gavin Newsom. The 51-year-old former UFC light heavyweight champion has made the dramatic revelation that he has relocated his entire family from California to Florida, citing what he describes as the Governor's catastrophic failures in leadership.
'I Never Wanted to Leave California'
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Ortiz expressed profound sadness about his departure from his lifelong home state. 'I never wanted to leave California,' the MMA icon confessed with evident emotion. 'But I left because of the crime, the fraud and the growing threat to the safety of my children.' Ortiz, who once served as mayor pro tempore of Huntington Beach, painted a grim picture of a state transformed into a dangerous 'trap' for ordinary families.
The former champion insisted that his cross-country relocation represented a desperate survival strategy rather than a career move. 'Like millions of other parents, I made the difficult decision to move my family to Florida - not for opportunity, but for protection,' Ortiz explained with conviction. He emphasized the heartbreaking nature of his choice, adding, 'No parent should ever be forced to flee their home state to keep their children safe.'
Scathing Critique of Newsom's Leadership
Ortiz did not mince words in his assessment of Governor Newsom's tenure, accusing him of systematically exporting failure from San Francisco across the entire Golden State. 'Gavin Newsom's failures didn't start in Sacramento,' the fighter claimed with authority. 'He helped devastate San Francisco, then exported those same disastrous policies statewide.'
The UFC legend described a California in what he perceives as terminal decline, plagued by what he called 'exploding crime, rampant fraud, lawless streets, unaffordable housing, and crushed small businesses.' Ortiz issued a stark warning that families no longer feel secure in communities where they have resided for multiple decades. 'California cannot survive more of the same,' he added with ominous finality.
Dismissive Response from Newsom's Office
Governor Newsom's office responded to Ortiz's public departure with what many interpreted as a deliberately dismissive statement. According to Fox News, the office remarked, 'We're not sure who Tito Ortiz is, but we wish him well. Bye!' This curt response appeared designed to minimize the significance of the MMA star's criticism and departure.
Political Endorsement from Afar
Despite this official snub, Ortiz has already begun working to influence California's political future from his new Florida residence. He has formally endorsed Sheriff Chad Bianco for Governor in the 2026 election, praising him as a 'proven leader' who demonstrated remarkable courage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
'In 2020, when Gavin Newsom ruled by decree and used fear as a weapon, Sheriff Bianco stood up and refused to enforce unconstitutional lockdowns,' Ortiz declared with admiration. 'Anyone can talk. Sheriff Bianco acted. When it mattered most, he stood with the people, not the political elite. He has earned my vote and my endorsement.'
Ortiz joins fellow UFC superstar Dan Henderson in supporting Sheriff Bianco, with Henderson previously describing it as a 'blessing' that the Sheriff employed 'common sense' to keep local businesses operational during challenging times.
Legacy of a UFC Pioneer
Tito Ortiz remains one of the most influential figures in UFC history, having played a pivotal role in propelling mixed martial arts into the global sporting mainstream. The Huntington Beach Bad Boy held the prestigious UFC light heavyweight championship from 2000 to 2003, successfully defending his coveted title five times against the world's most formidable contenders.
The former champion concluded his professional mixed martial arts career with an impressive record of 21 wins, 12 losses, and 1 draw, competing in his final professional bout during late 2019. Beyond his athletic achievements, Ortiz built a substantial business empire with his Punishment Athletics merchandise line and transitioned into local politics as a respected leader within his California hometown community.
