UFC champion Tito Ortiz never wanted to leave his home state of California. 

Born and raised in Huntington Beach, he became a local leader as a council member and later mayor pro tempore of the city. 

It’s where he built his life as a mixed martial arts star. 

But now, at age 51, with a family, Ortiz believed it was not a feasible place to raise his children.

“I never wanted to leave California. But I left because of the crime, the fraud and the growing threat to the safety of my children. Like millions of other parents, I made the difficult decision to move my family to Florida — not for opportunity, but for protection. No parent should ever be forced to flee their home state to keep their children safe,” Ortiz told Fox News Digital. 

Ortiz blames Gov. Gavin Newsom for the conditions that have pushed his family out of the state.

“Gavin Newsom’s failures didn’t start in Sacramento. He helped devastate San Francisco, then exported those same disastrous policies statewide. The result is undeniable: exploding crime, rampant fraud, lawless streets, unaffordable housing, crushed small businesses and families who no longer feel safe in their own communities,” he added. 

“California cannot survive more of the same.”

Newsom’s office has responded to Ortiz’s criticisms in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

“We’re not sure who Tito Ortiz is, but we wish him well. Bye!” Newsom’s office said. 

Ortiz, nicknamed “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” is a pioneering UFC Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion. He held the UFC light heavyweight championship from April 2000 to September 2003, defending it five times.

He finished his professional MMA career with a 21-12-1 record and had his final fight in 2019.

Now, from afar, he hopes to inspire change in his home state by endorsing Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for California governor in 2026.

UFC LEGEND ENDORSES PRO-LAW ENFORCEMENT PICK FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR: ‘WE NEED HIS STRENGTH’

For Ortiz, the defining trait that inspires his endorsement is Bianco’s handling of the COVID-19 quarantine in 2020, when the sheriff refused to enforce certain lockdown protocols under Newsom’s leadership. 

“Sheriff Chad Bianco is not a career politician. He is a proven leader with courage and integrity,” Ortiz said. 

“In 2020, when Gavin Newsom ruled by decree and used fear as a weapon, Sheriff Bianco stood up and refused to enforce unconstitutional lockdowns. He defended churches, small businesses and the fundamental rights of Californians.

“Anyone can talk. Sheriff Bianco acted. When it mattered most, he stood with the people, not the political elite. He has earned my vote, my endorsement and my trust. California deserves leadership that will fight back, restore law and order and put families first again.”

Ortiz joins fellow former UFC fighter and Californian Dan Henderson, who told Fox News Digital in November he is endorsing Bianco. 

“It was kind of a blessing that he didn’t shut everything down as long as we were being responsible with everything. I kind of admired how he handled that whole situation,” Henderson said. 

“A lot of business owners would have went out of business, and maybe even worse, as far as losing a lot of the things that they had, had he shut all the business down like the governor wanted. … It was more common sense. He didn’t panic and think the world was going to end.”

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Bianco is the frontrunner for the state’s 2026 gubernatorial election in several polls, including January polls from EMC Research and Public Policy Polling. 

Bianco’s biggest challenger in the upcoming race appears to be fellow Republican Steve Hilton, who has been at or near the top of recent polls with the sheriff. 

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San Francisco was bustling on Saturday with both locals and out-of-town visitors celebrating Valentine’s Day. Couples, families, and friends could be seen strolling down the Embarcadero, stopping at the many markets, stands, and restaurants along the way.

While many people made holiday reservations at restaurants, there were plenty of other ways to celebrate too, including lots of free activities.

“It’s exciting, fun for a Valentine’s Day, and different,” said Walter Paulson of San Francisco, who said he has been to four of these pillow fights.

At the Embarcadero Plaza, hundreds of people got together to take part in the annual free pillow fight tradition. This year, participants were instructed to bring only synthetic pillows, no pillows stuffed with feathers.

San Francisco residents Allie McAndrews and Lilly Datnow were among the group of friends organizing the pillow fight.

McAndrews explained that while the San Francisco Valentine’s pillow fight had been going on for more than 20 years, the tradition hit a lull during the pandemic. She and her friend went to the fight last year and thought it was “the best thing,” but it was in need of some more organizing and publicity. McAndrews and her friend took it upon themselves to get the word out about the event this year, and to lead the group in stretches and activities (such as screaming into your pillow).

Many people showed up to the pillow fight wearing costumes. Some veterans of the pillow fight opted to wear goggles as eye protection.

Around San Francisco, couples could be seen walking hand in hand and dining at restaurants.

Others were out in search of their special someone, like those attending BART’s annual Valentraine speed-dating event, where passengers looking for love hopped aboard in the Mission District and rode the train to Millbrae and back.

At Pier 7, people could get their photos taken for free in the giant photo frame art installation on the waterfront, courtesy of the Port of San Francisco and Big Art Loop.

“Cause we’re in love with San Francisco, and it’s Valentine’s Day, and we just wanted to give back,” explained Annabelle Lee with Big Art Loop, which is the group working to install 100 public art sculptures in San Francisco.

Many out-of-town visitors said they enjoyed the Valentine’s energy in San Francisco.

“Yeah, it’s nice to be in the city. I love coming out to the city, it’s a beautiful city,” said Pinne Chao of Stockton.

The Dig is back with a recap of the first half of the season including chatter around the NBA All-Star game, the current zeitgeist, and first-half awards. Nick, Miro, and Jeremy also make some second-half predictions and try to keep Miroslav off of FBI blacklists. (NOTE: My Twitter account was hacked this week, so please disregard any DMs asking for a vote for some podcast award. Obviously, I am well-aware that this podcast has no business being awarded anything.)

The Dig is a biweekly-ish podcast for Denver Nuggets fans, hot-take appreciators, pro-America globetrotters, and all around ethical hoops enjoyers. The Dig is not for fans of floppers, flukes, and flameouts.

WARNING: Content may include Serbian idioms that would likely be, if intelligible, offensive to some listeners. Discretion advised.