UFC Champion Tito Ortiz Flees California, Cites Newsom's Leadership

Ortiz endorses Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for California governor in 2026 election

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz, a longtime California resident, has left the state with his family, citing concerns over crime, fraud, and threats to his children's safety under Governor Gavin Newsom's leadership. 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 high-profile departure from California and endorsement of Bianco, a pro-law enforcement candidate, highlights growing discontent among some Californians with the state's leadership and policies under Newsom. This could be a significant political development ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race.

The details

Ortiz, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, was born and raised in Huntington Beach and had been involved in local politics as a city council member and mayor pro tempore. However, he says he was forced to move his family to Florida, not for opportunity but for protection, due to the "crime, the fraud and the growing threat to the safety" of his children under Newsom's governance. 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 in 2020 as an act of defending "churches, small businesses and the fundamental rights of Californians."

  • Ortiz left California with his family in 2026.
  • The 2026 California gubernatorial election is scheduled for November.

The players

Tito Ortiz

A UFC Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion who was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. He served as a city council member and mayor pro tempore before leaving the state with his family in 2026.

Gavin Newsom

The current Governor of California, whose leadership and policies Ortiz has criticized as contributing to the conditions that led Ortiz to flee the state.

Chad Bianco

The Riverside County Sheriff who Ortiz is endorsing for California governor in 2026, praising Bianco's refusal to enforce Newsom's COVID-19 lockdowns.

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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, 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. 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.”

— Tito Ortiz, UFC Champion (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The 2026 California gubernatorial election is scheduled for November, with Sheriff Chad Bianco and fellow Republican Steve Hilton currently leading in the polls as the top contenders to challenge Newsom's successor.

The takeaway

Ortiz's high-profile departure from California and endorsement of a pro-law enforcement candidate like Bianco reflects the growing frustration among some Californians with the state's leadership and policies under Newsom. This could be a significant political development that shapes the 2026 gubernatorial race and the future direction of the state.