What Is Tito Ortiz's Net Worth, Salary, and Career Earnings?
Tito Ortiz is an American Mixed Martial Artist and former UFC fighter who has a net worth of $20 million. Tito Ortiz rose to prominence while fighting in the UFC and established a reputation as one of the most skilled wrestlers in the competition. Although he became the Light Heavyweight Champion of the UFC at one point, he eventually transitioned to Bellator MMA. Following this period, Ortiz signed a new contract with Combate Americas. In 2012, Tito was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Ortiz is also notable for being formerly in a relationship with adult actress Jenna Jameson from 2006 to 2013. They have twin boys together. He has a son from a previous marriage as well.
Exaggerations of Net Worth
In 2015, Howard Stern asked Ortiz how much he was worth. Tito said he "could probably pull together $50 million." He also stated that he typically earns $200,000 just to show up to a fight. In our view, Tito's "$50 million" estimate is likely a huge exaggeration. In order to net $50 million post-tax, he would have to have made $100 million pre-tax during his career, which does not appear correct.
Fight Earnings
Thanks to a 2023 antitrust lawsuit filed against the UFC, some of Tito's actual earnings for fights between 2011 and 2016 were made public. Here are some of the earnings that were revealed. These numbers include PPV bonuses:
- 2011 vs Ryan Bader = $820,000
- 2011 vs Rashad Evans = $1.2 million
- 2011 vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira = $1.75 million
- 2012 vs Forrest Griffin = $2.5 million
- For his second match against Chuck Liddell, which took place in 2006, Tito earned a career-high payday of $3.2 million, which represents his total net pay, including PPV bonuses.
JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images
Early Life
Jacob Christopher Ortiz was born on January 23, 1975, in Huntington Beach, California. At age five, Ortiz moved to Santa Ana, California, where he was raised alongside three older half-brothers. He was given the nickname "Tito" by his father when he was just one year old. Tito's childhood was not easy. Both of his parents were addicted to heroin, and he quickly became involved with local gangs. With little to no support from his parents, Ortiz survived by catching and selling fish at a local pier. He soon started using a number of drugs, including cocaine and PCP. He was also in and out of juvenile hall throughout his early youth.
At age thirteen, his parents divorced, and Tito started living with his mother in Huntington Beach. He first started wrestling when he joined his high school team as a teen. He quickly excelled at the sport, winning championships and placing fourth in one state-wide tournament. When Ortiz was wrapping up his final year of high school, he was kicked out by his mother and began living with one of his brothers. Tito subsequently became addicted to methamphetamines.
At nineteen, Ortiz was encouraged to go to college by Paul Herrera, his former wrestling coach. Following his mentor's guidance, Tito enrolled at Golden West College and joined the wrestling team, winning more championships. After transferring to California State University, Tito continued with his wrestling career but gravitated more toward mixed martial arts.
Career
Ortiz first fought in the UFC in 1997 as an amateur. He soon gained widespread attention after winning his first fight, but later lost his second match against Guy Mezger. He then beat Jerry Bohlander, who was a top-ranked fighter at the time. In 1999, Ortiz was ready to challenge Frank Shamrock for the UFC Light Heavyweight title, but he lost via submission. Frank Shamrock retired after this bout, and Ortiz eventually gained the title and defended it five times in a row.
After a one-year hiatus, Tito returned at UFC 44 to fight Randy Couture, losing via unanimous decision. After losing his title, he suffered another loss against Chuck Liddell. In the following years, Ortiz was less enthusiastic about the UFC and explored opportunities in other fighting organizations. After acting as a coach for "The Ultimate Fighter 3," Tito returned to the UFC and continued to fight. In 2008, he lost the last fight on his UFC contract against Lyoto Machida.
Ortiz eventually worked out another contract with Dana White, returning to fight against Forrest Griffin and losing via split decision. He returned as a coach for the 11th season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and later lost another fight against Matt Hamill. After losing four fights in a row, Tito was in danger of losing his contract with the UFC. However, he bounced back in 2011 with a stunning victory against Ryan Bader.
Although he had saved his career, Tito continued to lose further fights and eventually faced Forrest Griffin in the final fight of his contract, losing once again. He then retired from fighting – but later joined Bellator MMA. In 2019, he signed a contract with Combate Americas, an MMA championship directed at a Spanish-speaking audience.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Relationships
While in a five-year marriage with his first wife, Kristin, Tito welcomed his first child into the world. After this marriage came to a close, he began dating adult film star Jenna Jameson in 2006. Later that year, the United States Marine Corps refused to let Ortiz bring Jameson to a birthday ball. Tito subsequently declined the invitation. Later that year, he publicly stated that he and Jameson were in love and that she had ceased to appear in pornographic films.
In 2008, the couple announced that they were expecting twins, and in 2009, they welcomed the two children into the world. Four years later, Ortiz and Jameson split up, and Tito was given full custody of the children.
Legal Issues
In 2010, Ortiz was arrested for felony domestic violence. He had allegedly attacked Jameson, and she was later photographed with a bandaged arm. She accused him of being abusive during the following weeks. In his defense, Ortiz alleged that she was addicted to OxyContin at the time and that she was behaving erratically. Eventually, the couple reconciled and recanted their earlier allegations against each other.
In 2014, Tito was arrested and charged with Drinking Under the Influence. He was given three years of probation and fined. In addition, he was required to enter an alcohol education program.
Business Ventures
Tito Ortiz is the CEO of Punishment Athletics, a martial arts equipment and clothing line company. He also owns an MMA gym called Punishment Training Center, which is located in his hometown of Huntington Beach, California.
Real Estate
In October 2008, Ortiz and Jameson paid $3.25 million for a mansion in Huntington Beach, California. The home includes four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a wine cellar, and a library. The waterfront property also features a private dock boat and a balcony that overlooks the water. Tito listed this home for sale in December 2021 for $6 million. He lowered the price to $4.8 million in September 2022. In November 2022, he accepted $4 million. Below is a video tour of his former home. He and his family have since moved to Florida.
