COB Basrah – It isn’t often that Spartan living conditions can help you gain some mat-time with a professional fighter from the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
But Patrol Base Minden is just that small sort of base that Tito Ortiz, the mixed martial artist, specifically wanted to visit to thank Soldiers for their service during his visit to Multi-National Division South.
“It’s just a real small patrol base right here near Iran. We thought this stuff just happened on the bigger (Forward Operating Bases),” said Spc. Thomas Porter, cannon crewmember, 3rd Platoon, “C” Battery, 1st Battalion, 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade. “This is the first time. We didn’t really expect anyone famous to be able to come out here and it’s pretty exciting,” said the Wells Branch, Tex. native.
Ortiz, on his third tour with the USO in Iraq, said his purpose was to encourage service members in their endeavors.
“I come out and just try to raise these guys’ spirits a little bit,” Ortiz said, “I’m very thankful of them coming out and giving their time for the Americans in the United States.”
Porter is also appreciative of the time taken by Ortiz and others to help Soldiers during their long deployments away from home. “I think it’s great that people are showing interest in what we do and come out here to support us,” he said. “It’s a nice change of pace for us.”
Traveling by UH-60 Black Hawk, Ortiz also made stops at Camp Wessam and Contingency Operating Base Basrah to pose for photographs with service members, autograph memorabilia, and personally express his gratitude for their sacrifices.
Ortiz even signed a UFC X-Box 360 game for one Soldier.
At PB Minden, Ortiz finished signing autographs and taking pictures fairly soon in the hour he planned to spend there, so he suggested showing the Soldiers some submission moves.
The Soldiers crowded into the small gym, and Ortiz demonstrated several moves and choke-holds.
Some Soldiers even had the courage to face off against the professional fighter.
In the half-hour at the gym Ortiz added no losses to his record. Afterward, a sweat-soaked Ortiz took a moment to offer his appreciation.
“I’m very thankful for you guys having me here,” Ortiz said, “I’m very, very appreciative for what you guys do and the sacrifices you do for your families.”
“From all the fighters, families, and all of us, we’re very, very thankful for you guys and that’s why I spend my time right here before Christmas,” he said.
Ortiz said he wanted to visit troops last year but recent back surgery prevented it.
“After I just had my fight, three weeks ago, against Forrest Griffin in UFC 106, you can still see I have a little black eye from it, I said it was time,” he said, “It’s right before Christmas, I can come out here and raise the guys spirits up.”
As an UFC contender, Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz has had an impressive 23 fights, with 15 wins, seven losses and a single draw.
He said his most memorable fight was when he won the light-heavyweight champion title after beating Wanderlei Silva at UFC 25, April 14, 2000.
He successfully defended the title five times before losing to Randy Couture at UFC 44, Sept. 26, 2003.
“After all my fights I thank our troops,” Ortiz said, “the men and women who serve for our country. They’re the real heroes.”
