Brian Ortega is an American professional mixed martial artist born on February 21, 1991. He holds a first-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and competes in the UFC Featherweight division (145 lbs). Ortega began Brazilian jiu-jitsu at 13 at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, where he earned his black belt and the nickname ‘T-City’ for his proficiency with the triangle choke.
Ortega's MMA career started in 2010, and he became the Respect in the Cage featherweight champion with an 8–0 record before signing with the UFC in April 2014. His UFC debut was against Mike De La Torre in July 2014. Throughout his UFC career, Ortega has achieved significant success with wins against fighters like Frankie Edgar, Yair Rodriguez, and The Korean Zombie. ‘T-City’ currently holds the #3 ranking in the UFC featherweight division as of June 2024.
Brian Ortega Ethnicity
Brian Ortega’s ethnicity is Mexican-American, as his parents hail from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Born on February 21, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, Ortega had a tumultuous upbringing as he grew up in a Section 8 housing project. He began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 13.
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Why did Brian Ortega shave his head?
Brian Ortega shaved his head after his victorious return to the UFC, a departure from his usual flowing locks. The decision was inspired by his visits to cancer hospitals for children, where he witnessed the struggles of kids losing their hair due to chemotherapy. According to ‘T-City,’ The temporary discomfort he experienced during weight cuts for UFC fights paled in comparison to the daily challenges faced by these children. Ortega shaved his head as a gesture of solidarity, donating his hair to charity.
Who did Brian Ortega slap?
During the lead-up to UFC 248 in 2020, the rivalry between Brian Ortega and Chan Sung Jung ('The Korean Zombie') escalated. Originally scheduled to fight, Ortega had to withdraw due to injury. 'The Korean Zombie' accused Ortega of avoiding the fight, and when Korean rapper Jay Park, who translated for Sung Jung, got involved, tensions rose.
At UFC 248, Ortega confronted Park about the translation, and despite a prior warning, he slapped him while 'The Korean Zombie' was away. Ortega later apologized on Twitter, expressing his regret. Despite the incident, the friendship between Jay Park and 'The Korean Zombie' appears to be intact, as Park recently brought out the retired featherweight during one of his concerts.
Why did Brian Ortega apologize?
Brian Ortega apologized to both ‘The Korean Zombie’ and Jay Park, as he regretted his actions at UFC 248. At first, Ortega posted a statement on Twitter, saying, “I apologize for slapping the ‘translator,’ and I apologize for slapping the ‘K-pop star,’ but I don’t apologize for slapping the ‘instigator.’” Later, Ortega issued a more formal apology, stating, “I want to officially apologize to JPark for Saturday night; when Zombie is ready, we can fight.”
Last Updated On June 24, 2024
FAQs
A. Brian Ortega’s ethnicity is Mexican-American.
A. In his fight against ‘The Korean Zombie,’ Ortega shaved his head to raise awareness of children battling cancer.
A. Brian Ortega slapped the popular Korean rapper Jay Park
A. Brian Ortega has an MMA record of 16 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no-contest (16-3-0(1NC)).
A. Brian Ortega’s next opponent is Diego Lopes.
