'Bad Boy' Ortiz Has a Good Side, But Not Tonight

Tito Ortiz once wanted to fight his boss, Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White. He shoved Rashad Evans, his opponent in tonight's UFC 73 in Sacramento, during UFC 69, and followed that up with some name-calling in a forum posting.

"He's always been like this, but I think Tito has matured a lot as a fighter and a person," White said.

This comes from the same man who once said just the sight of Ortiz made him sick to his stomach.

Ortiz, a California native, will not back away from his persona as "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy," though his life outside the octagon has changed as he's gotten older.

Ortiz, 32, has decided to model himself after Oscar De La Hoya-- a role model to young Latinos and a successful businessman. Ortiz is a vocal supporter of the U.S. troops -- with a trip to Iraq planned this summer -- and he heads a charity that helps troubled youth.

"I'm a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," Ortiz said. "When I step in that octagon it's my head or his. I'm out there to drop blood. Once I step out of the octagon I never say no to an autograph or a picture."

In tonight's other fights, Sean Shirk will face Hermes Franca in the lightweight title bout and Anderson Silva will defend his middleweight title against Nathan Marquardt. But Ortiz's light heavyweight fight with the undefeated Evans will be the featured bout in many fans' eyes.

"We have our moments when we can tolerate each other," White said. "Tito is a star in the UFC. At the end of the day it's business."

-- Ryan Mink