Tito Ortiz, right, goes through a sparring session at the Ultimate Training Center in Huntington Beach. Closed-fist punches to the head are prohibited at the matches in Huntington Beach. (Mark Boster / LAT)
An ultimate fighter at the Ultimate Training Center in Huntington Beach waits his turn to get into the ring. (Mark Boster / LAT)
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight contender Tiki Ghosn unwraps his fists after a long day in the practice ring at the Ultimate Training Center in Huntington Beach. (Mark Boster / LAT)
“Rampage” Jackson, an ultimate fighter working out at the Ultimate Fight Center in Huntington Beach, stretches before an all-day workout. (Mark Boster / LAT)
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Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz shows a softer side to the brutal fighter who sent his last opponent, Ken Shamrock to the hospital after their November 2002 bout. (Mark Boster / LAT)
The crowd at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas cheers for their champion, Tito Ortiz as he and his corner men entered the arena at the Ultimate Fighting Championship 40 “Vendetta” and the title bout with Ken Shamrock. (Mark Boster / LAT)
The crowd at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas cheers for their favorite fighters in the Ultimate Fighting Championship 40 “Vendetta” on November 22, 2002. (Mark Boster / LAT)
All eyes are towards the octagon for the Ultimate Fighting Championship 40 “Vendetta” on November 22, 2002. (Mark Boster / LAT)
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Mark Weir ties up Phillip Miller during a bout at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. The sport, called mixed martial arts, combines punching, kicking, tackling and wrestling. (Mark Boster / LAT)
Welterweight contender Carlos Newman raises his hands after beating Pete Spratt at the Ultimate Fighting Championship 40 “Vendetta.” (Mark Boster / LAT)
Tito Ortiz is all over Ken Shamrock during their three-round fight in Las Vegas. (Mark Boster / LAT)
Ken Shamrock faces a losing night after his ultimate fighting match against Tito Ortiz. (Mark Boster / LAT)
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Tito Ortiz keeps his light-heavyweight champion’s belt after pummeling Ken Shamrock for three rounds in Las Vegas. “Before every one of my fights, I cry and throw up, no matter what,” says Ortiz, 28, who grew up in Santa Ana motels. (Mark Boster / LAT)
