“In the heat of victory, arrogance and overconfidence can push you past the goal you had aimed for, and by going too far, you make more enemies than you defeat. Do not allow success to go to your head. There is no substitute for strategy and careful planning. Set a goal, and when you reach it, stop.”
In case you are wondering which person that particular quote is referring to, please allow me to clarify:
You’re lookin’ at him!
Well…technically…you’re “listening” to him, but you get the point.
In recent months, I have been absolutely unrelenting in my dangerous (and sometimes sarcastic) criticisms of the MMA fighter famously known as Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz.
So much in fact, that I am now starting to feel a little bit like the nice guy who stood up against the schoolyard bully, but in the process, maybe went a bit too far in the eyes of some, thus creating sympathy for the bully.
[INSERT BACKFIRE EFFECT HERE]
Like I said up top, “set a goal, and when you reach it—stop.”
Call me an old school MMA fan, but my disdain for Tito Ortiz originated back in the early days when he and UFC Hall of Famer, Ken Shamrock, first crossed paths.
Having had won several good-sportsmanship awards myself through various martial arts competitions, I had always taken considerable exception to Tito’s unsportsmanlike behaviour and the way in which he consistently conducted himself in a very poor way, both inside and outside of the Octagon.
It would seem that we are just two completely different people in our obvious views on competition, personal conduct, and the mutual levels of respect that are required by all martial artists, whether they like each other or not.
In fairness to Tito however, my opinions of him have only ever been based upon the impressions that I had received through years of watching him in his fights, various interviews, and of course, as a broadcaster (and let’s not forget the YouTube video of him chastising a homeless man for being lazy—that left an impression on me that I felt spoke to his true character as a person, and not just as a fighter trying to “hype a fight”).
In other words…the media is to blame if I have the wrong impression of Tito Ortiz.
To be perfectly clear, I have never spent any face-to-face time getting to know Tito as a person.
We have never trained together, gone for a tea, or hung around at the mall trying to pick up chicks at the GAP.
So why, with so many undesirable fighters on this planet, do I keep criticizing poor little, big-headed Tito?
Sadly…he is an easy target.
But also, if I am going to make an example out of someone, it might as well be the most famous “Bad Boy” of them all. After all, he certainly seems quite proud of that title.
Recently, I even received an email from a loyal MMA fan, whose only motivation was to try to show me the possible err in my ways:
“All you do is bash on the guy. Tito isn’t a bad guy, I know, I’ve meet him quite a few times. My uncle and him are friends…..the guy is great for the sport, period. The guy can put people into the seats and make them buy the PPV’s just off his name!! Whether you love him or hate him……the guy is really cool, maybe you just need to meet him to find out.”—Fight Fan
Is he right?
Maybe.
After all, who am I to tell him that he is wrong?
His opinion of Tito is correct, if only because it is based solely on his own personal experiences and individual perspective. I absolutely respect this fan’s right to feel the way that he does and I would be more than prepared to give Tito the benefit of the doubt that he is in fact, a good guy.
Having watched Tito as a coach on the UFC’s TUF, it is clear that he can be a very likeable person when he wants to be, and it is easy to see why so many people would be charmed by his big toothy grin, and endeared by his outgoing personality.
But here’s the harsh reality…
I do not care if Tito is a nice guy or not in “real life,” particularly if he is only “pretending” to be a heel for the sake of his marketable image and PPV ratings.
Why not?
If I were to truly believe that Tito was simply “acting” (again, giving him the benefit of the doubt that he is a good guy), then that is even more of a reason for me not to like him.
How Tito allows himself to be perceived through the media, has a direct impact on our younger generation of fighters and fight fans.
Like it or not Tito, due to a massive increase in MMA’s popularity, you are now a role model and an ambassador for this sport.
That is the responsibility that comes with fame, success, and parenthood.
The notion that Tito has purposely villainized himself to further enhance his own “Bad Boy” image, does not excuse him from negative criticism.
In fact, quite the opposite.
If Tito were simply playing up to his own character invention, then I would expect that any negative reactions such as the ones that I have publicly voiced, would serve precisely into his own plan to garner more attention for himself and to be hated (thus, talked about) by so many of the fans.
Bottom line: If Tito is such a nice guy and is purposely choosing to be perceived as the jerk that he portrays himself to be on television and by the media, are we not then giving him the exact reaction that he is looking for?
Does anyone actually believe that Tito would want any of us to ease off of the “Tito-bashing” gas pedal?
If I write a scathingly insulting article about Tito, is that not the exact “sort of thing” that he would like to have said about him?
It may not be the “exact” thing that he wanted said, but that’s the beauty part of guerrilla marketing.
Any reaction is possible (and acceptable).
In a twisted sort of way, I think that Tito should be thanking the writers (like me) who constantly help to keep him alive in the media and keep his name fresh in the minds of all MMA fans.
In case you didn’t already know this about Tito, he is a strong believer in self-promotion (Punishment Athletics) and the more famous notion that no publicity is bad publicity.
“I don’t care what they say about me as long as they spell my name right.”—P.T. Barnum
I think that it’s safe to say that when it comes to Tito Ortiz—I’m just getting warmed up!
For as long as Tito chooses to intentionally act inappropriately, I will continue to call him on it and do my absolute best to make an example out if him (and others who act the same, of course).
I hope you understand.
It’s nothing personal…it’s just the business of MMA in a new generation.
Thank you.
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These are my opinions. If you don’t like them…I have others. Check them out at www.coachjamesryan.com
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Related Articles Written by James Ryan
Warning: These articles may encourage readers to think for themselves. Please wear a protective helmet or any other anti-mind-blowing device.
Creature vs. Creature: Pathetic Tito Ortiz Begs the “Iceman” for a Third Beatdown
Tito Ortiz: The Self-Promoting Champion of Guerrilla Marketing
MMA Q&A with Gabriel Gonzaga: Demonstrate Greater Respect and Sportsmanship
Sanchez, Ortiz, Mir and Silva: A Rational Explanation of Bad Behaviour
MMA Perspectives: Discussing Shinya Aoki and His Championship Behaviour
MMA Fighters and Why Personality Matters (or Does It?)
Tito Ortiz Has Become America’s Newest Cartoon
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson
And last but not least…
TUF 11: What’s Up With Coach Tito?
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very well said James!!
Nice read, as always…
BUT, one could argue that it's kind of like in “wrestling”. Someone is just playing the bad guy when really, they are pretty cool. People like Edge and Randy Orton act like villains, but they are both really cool dudes.
I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, comparing the sport MMA with the Soap Opera that wrestling is. But, I am simply saying it just COULD be like that in the way some of the drama is handled.
Nice article James. I think you state your opinion rather eloquently and made good points in the process, keep up the good work.
I was never bothered by Tito too much, but then, I didn't pay too much attention to him when he wasn't fighting. This latest turn on TUF after Tito has raised the reasonable question as to whether he's interested in anything but publicity -might be a bad idea.
Funny that you'd ease off him now (a bit).
We'll see if he gives you reason to turn the guns back on…
Tito is not just a tool, he is the whole toolbox. I hope Chuck can pull it together one last time to re-retire Tito for good.
the guy likes being a clown
karma deals with him