Punishment 101

Mixed Martial Arts veteran Tito Ortiz recently gave a keynote speech to a 2007 class of drug court graduates in Nye County, Nevada. Ortiz gave insight into his rough up bringing and drug use.

Ortiz recalled growing up in Santa Ana, Calif. at age 5 with parents addicted to heroin.

"I started seeing this and it was a dead-end street. My father lost his job, my mother would do whatever she could to help their habit, and so forth," Ortiz said.

Eventually, after 16 years together, his parents split up and he stayed with his stepfather and mother.

"I was hanging out with some of my friends when a rival gang pulled up. They said, ‘Where are you from?' All of a sudden, bang, bang, bang, gunshots go off," Ortiz said. "You hear the bullets hit the cement. It's a very scary moment at the age of 12."

Ortiz said his stepfather gave him $800 at the age of 18 and pushed him out of the house. He used methamphetamine until he was 20.

"All of a sudden I found myself doing the same thing," Ortiz said. "It seems like every summer came around, when wrestling was over, I did catch myself doing the same thing."

But Ortiz ran into a wrestling coach who helped him see the light.

"I had an out-of-body experience. I was 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, sucked up, bags in my eyes. I looked in the mirror and I didn't know who I was," Ortiz said.

Ortiz got his life together. During his freshman year in college he was state junior college champion in his weight class. Ortiz had dreams about being a high school wrestling coach.

In 1997, Ortiz entered the exciting new world of ultimate fighting. At the time he had to fight for free, since he was still an amateur. Ortiz defeated his opponent in 22 seconds.

Soon, Ortiz said, he was a celebrity when he returned home.

"All of a sudden, all the attention I was dying for as a kid, I was getting in wrestling," Ortiz said.

Eventually Ortiz received his associate degree and didn't use drugs again. His fighting career progressed (his next bout will be Nov. 17 in Newark, N.J.). The clothing line he began with $500 is now a million-dollar business.

Tito Ortiz Recalls Rough Up Bringing and Drug Use | UFC MMA News, Results, Rumors and Opinion

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"I only want to be known as the best ever, is that too much to ask?" - BJ Penn

Truuuax

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Soakked

Kudos for him for getting past that.

HexRei

not sure i buy it. that guy's about as street as my grandma. he reminds more of the jock bullies in high school.

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His helmet was stifling, it narrowed his vision. And he must see far. His shield was heavy. It threw him off balance. And his target is far away.

Soakked

You don't have to talk ghetto, walk with a limp or grab your nuts to be from the streets. Take it from me, I'm from Bushwick Brooklyn and lived in the South Bronx, I'm from the street, but the street will not define me or dictate my direction.

HexRei

i didn't mean his mannerisms or style, i meant his entire personality. he doesn't act like someone who pulled himself up by his bootstraps. just my opinion.

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His helmet was stifling, it narrowed his vision. And he must see far. His shield was heavy. It threw him off balance. And his target is far away.

hollando

yah i member hearing about this

good for him..although im somewhat lost.....mostly because someone using meth.....and for two years.....looks alot more aged in the face....not to mention.....dont end up getting into college on wrestling scholarships.....in any case good for him......although im fairly confident this man has used some Hormone growth drugs in his lifetime....i mean noones head can naturally be that big

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The most solid advice I can give to anyone who fights BJ Penn is...do not motivate the guy. Lets face it, BJ although talented, is naturally lazy. Your job is to NOT convince him to step on that treadmill.

Punishment 101

WoRd homie !!! good post

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"I only want to be known as the best ever, is that too much to ask?" - BJ Penn

TheNegation

What a terrible upbringing.....imagine being given $800 and being forced outta home at 18....I can't even fathom.

Ortiz would probably have been an emo if he had been a teen this decade.

Soakked

Ok, I misunderstood then. I know what you are saying, but chances are regardless of whether he is street or not, having both parents on smack had to have been a MAJOR stumbling block.

My mom was on methadone up until she died of AIDS, and though my pops was able to kick the habit in 83 he got the germ too and passed as well. But thank goodness through all that, that they stood together and tried the best they could in bringing up my brother and I.

He wasn't as lucky, yet not only is he sane, but is good at what he does and has been successful. Like him or not, overcoming and succeeding after such an experience is inspiration.