MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CHAMP TITO ORTIZ

TO BE IN MIAMI BEACH ON DECEMBER 14TH FOR

PREMIOS FOX SPORTS AWARDS SHOW

WHO: Mixed martial arts champ Tito Ortiz will be a presenter at the 4th Annual Premios Fox Sports Awards Show this week in Miami Beach.

Tito is taking time off from training for his upcoming battle against UFC World Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, which takes place on December 30th at the MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas and will be aired on PPV.

“I’m very proud of my Hispanic heritage and it’s terrific to be part of an event that honors outstanding athletes from all sports and all walks of life,” said Ortiz. “All of these competitors have shown what you can do with a combination of skill, dedication, hard work and lots of heart. It is an honor for me to be among them.”

By Jason Perkins

The following is a press release from the USO:
Mixed martial arts favorite Tito Ortiz and fellow fighter Justin McCully are gearing up for their second trip to the Persian Gulf to visit troops as part of a USO/Multi National Corps - Iraq entertainment tour. In July 2007, Ortiz and McCully took time out of their schedules to visit wounded service members being treated in Washington , DC , and Bethesda , MD. In true patriotism, they also visited thousands of service men and women stationed at Camp Liberty in Baghdad and surrounding military installations, bringing smiles and a much needed break from day-to-day operations.

Touched by their USO experiences overseas, the duo vowed to continue supporting U.S. troops, reuniting to demonstrate insider fighting techniques, shake hands with U.S. troops and chat with those stationed abroad. The pair will also express their heartfelt gratitude, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

“I look forward to returning to the Persian Gulf with the USO to visit our nation’s troops,” says Ortiz. “The truth is, they give me more than I could ever give them. They secure our borders, sacrifice their lives and fight for our freedom, and I’ll do what little I can to say thanks.”

A native of Huntington Beach , CA , Ortiz is a legendary mixed martial arts fighter. A former Light-Heavyweight champion, he spent most of his career fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Competition organization. Admired for his showmanship and athleticism, Ortiz has headlined numerous pay-per-view championship events, appeared on the covers of countless magazines and been profiled in such publications as “The New York Times” and “Sports Illustrated,” among many others. His acting ability and charisma have also earned him roles in several films and TV series, including CBS’ “NUMB3RS” and his much anticipated appearance on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” airing January 3, 2008 at 9 p.m.

Ultimate Fighting Championship newcomer, McCully, nicknamed “The Insane 1,” is an accomplished fighter and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Far from an overnight success, McCully made his mixed martial arts debut in 1997 in Tokyo .

Since 1941, the USO has brought quality entertainment to millions of U.S. military service members and their families. In 2006, hundreds of celebrities donated their time and talents to help the USO boost troop morale and bring a touch of home to the men and women serving our country.

By Raj Giri

Despite being one of UFC’s top draws, Tito Ortiz hasn’t fought since July 7, when he fought Rashad Evans to a draw at UFC 73: Stacked. Ortiz, who is currently filming for The Apprentice on NBC, was originally scheduled to have a rematch against Evans at UFC 78. Ortiz decided against the fight due to nagging injuries, with Michael Bisping eventually getting the fight with Evans.
“My last fight, before I fought Rashad (Evans), I wasn’t 100 percent, and I just wanted to make sure if I ever fight again I’m going to be 100 percent,” Ortiz told MMAWeekly.com “The back injury that I sustained kind of hindered me for fight time. Now it’s a lot better, and May will be my next fight.

“I spoke to Lorenzo (Fertitta) and it looks like … they’re going to wait until May, so the next Cinco de Mayo weekend will be Tito Ortiz’ next fight.”

This would put Ortiz’s next fight in another five months. While no opponents have been named for his next fight, a rematch with Evans would make the most sense, since they last fought to a controversial draw and Evans is coming off a victory over Michael Bisping.

Meanwhile, the animosity between Ortiz and Dana White continues. When recently asked during a press conference why Ortiz didn’t fight Evans at UFC 78, White remarked how he heard that Ortiz was injured, only to later find out that he was filming The Apprentice. Later when a reporter asked why Matt Hamill didn’t fight Michael Bisping at the same show, White replied “Because he’s [Hamill] really injured”.

HOT HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROM MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CHAMP TITO ORTIZ AND PUNISHMENT ATHLETICS

Includes Items Featuring Latest in Sportswear Trends for Both Men and Women

LOS ANGELES – (November 13, 2007) – Mixed martial arts fighter Tito Ortiz is gearing up for the upcoming holiday season with the latest trends in sportswear. Perfect for friends and loved ones, for fans of Tito or fashionistas, Punishment Athletics (www.punishment.com) offers only top quality apparel. Tito’s dedicated support of our troops is reflected in the styles of his latest apparel for men and women.

Photos of the latest offerings include both long and short sleeved shirts such as (from left to right):

1. The “All American” long-sleeved cotton T-shirt, which is available in up-to-the-minute charcoal gray. The shirt features an “eagle-star-fist” design on the front and a vertical Punishment logo on the left sleeve. “All American” is available from sizes Medium through 3XL and is $25.00.

2. The stylish women’s “Thermal Angel” perfect fit, long-sleeved shirt. The green camouflage is offset by an angel wing design in white, gray and hot pink. Made of a cozy waffle weave blend, this thermal shirt has a tapered waist and is available in sizes Small through Large and is priced at $40.00.

3. “Heritage,” a high quality cotton short-sleeved T-shirt celebrating Tito’s Hispanic heritage. Punishment is printed in both English and Spanish and motifs from the Mexican flag in green, white and red dominate the black T-shirt. “Heritage” is available in sizes Medium through 2XL and is $20.00.

The new holiday gifts also include a selection of hats for both men and women including:

1. The women’s “Halo Flat Bill” hat ($22.00) perfectly complements the “Thermal Angel” shirt by featuring the same angel wing design on front and the Punishment logo across back in hot pink. Available in white, the “Halo Flat Bill” hat is available in sizes Small/Medium and Large/XL.

2. The one-size-fits-all “Square Fist Reversible Beanie,” the very style worn by Tito. Stay warm with this black and gray beanie ($22.00) which boldly displays the Punishment logo. The beanie offers two fashionable looks for the price of one.

Tito has garnered top success with the Punishment Athletics sportswear collection at major trade shows such as MAGIC in Las Vegas, Nevada and ASR in San Diego, California. Punishment Athletics offers an array of athletic wear, casual apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The clothing line is so popular that its T-shirts, night-shirts and other apparel even get their own posts in the forum section of Tito’s popular blog.

Tito, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champ, is admired as a colorful showman, a talented athlete, actor and a supporter of our troops. He recently visited U.S. troops in Iraq and military hospitals in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Current projects include growing his business, keeping fit for upcoming fights and writing his autobiography for Simon & Schuster.

By Jason Perkins

Tito Ortiz would like to face the winner of Rashad Evans and Micheal Bisping according to edmontonsun.com:
When I lost to Chuck Liddell I took a step down. When I fought Rashad (Evans) I thought I won the fight. It was supposed to happen again, but it ain’t happening. I looked at a thing on UFC.tv and it said the light heavyweights are Rashad vs (Michael) Bisbing and there were others that were contenders, but my picture wasn’t on it. They are just trying to hold on and make sure the fighters don’t get more powerful. I am going to work to get the right fights and that belt will be around my waist.

Ortiz hopes to be back in the octagon by February, hopefully taking on the winner of the Evans-Bisping fight.