Ex-UFC Champ Tito Ortiz Blames Newsom for Leaving California

Ortiz cites crime, fraud, and safety concerns as reasons for moving his family to Florida

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz, who was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, has decided to leave the state and move his family to Florida. Ortiz blames Governor Gavin Newsom's policies for the 'exploding crime, rampant fraud, lawless streets, unaffordable housing, and crushed small businesses' that have made California unsafe for his children. Ortiz is now endorsing Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for California governor in 2026, praising Bianco's refusal to enforce Newsom's COVID-19 lockdowns.

Why it matters

Ortiz's decision to leave California highlights the growing exodus of residents from the state, driven by concerns over public safety, cost of living, and government policies. As a prominent figure, Ortiz's endorsement of Bianco could boost the sheriff's gubernatorial campaign and signal a shift in California politics.

The details

Ortiz, a UFC Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion, said he 'never wanted to leave California' but felt compelled to move his family to Florida for their protection. He criticized Newsom's 'failures' in policies that have 'devastated San Francisco' and spread 'disastrous' effects statewide. Ortiz praised Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for refusing to enforce Newsom's COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, calling him a 'proven leader with courage and integrity' who 'stood with the people, not the political elite.'

  • Ortiz left California in 2026 to move his family to Florida.
  • Bianco is running for California governor in the 2026 election.

The players

Tito Ortiz

A former UFC light heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer who was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. Ortiz has decided to leave the state and move his family to Florida, citing concerns over crime, fraud, and safety under Governor Gavin Newsom's leadership.

Gavin Newsom

The current Governor of California, whose policies Ortiz blames for the 'exploding crime, rampant fraud, lawless streets, unaffordable housing, and crushed small businesses' that have made the state unsafe.

Chad Bianco

The Riverside County Sheriff who Ortiz is endorsing for California governor in 2026. Bianco refused to enforce Newsom's COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, which Ortiz cites as an example of Bianco's 'courage and integrity' in standing up for the rights of Californians.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Tito Ortiz, Former UFC Champion (Fox News Digital)

“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.”

— Tito Ortiz, Former UFC Champion (Fox News Digital)

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

— Tito Ortiz, Former UFC Champion (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

Bianco is the frontrunner for the 2026 California gubernatorial election, with fellow Republican Steve Hilton as his main challenger. Ortiz's endorsement could boost Bianco's campaign as he seeks to unseat Newsom's successor.

The takeaway

Tito Ortiz's decision to leave California and endorse Sheriff Chad Bianco for governor reflects the growing dissatisfaction among some Californians with the state's leadership and policies under Gavin Newsom. Ortiz's high-profile move and endorsement could signal a shift in the political landscape as the state grapples with issues of public safety, cost of living, and government overreach.