Ultimate training

Mike Sciacca

The HB Ultimate Training Center has been open for just four months but

already, the complex is gaining in popularity.

Since officially opening its doors, the center has taken on 102 new

members. Some of them are weekend warriors, others just interested in

getting an incredible cardiovascular workout.

The HB Ultimate Training Center offers class instruction in cardio

kick boxing, box aerobics, submission wrestling, Jujitsu and Muay Thai.

Tiki, Tito Ortiz, Fabiano Iha and Rob McCullough are co-owners of the

center and also provide professional instruction.

“This is a great place to get in a great workout,” said the

24-year-old Tiki, a Huntington Beach resident who played on Mater Dei

High’s football team that won a 1994 CIF Southern Section championship.

“We get people in here for various training reasons, and what they will

find here is a great, no-attitude environment.”

The center is sure to gain the spotlight later this month.

Tiki is a two-time title contender in the lightweight division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship. One of his business partners, Ortiz, is

set to fight Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort Sept. 28 for the UFC’s light

heavyweight championship at the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas.

Ortiz, a four-time champion and two-time winner of the middleweight

world championship, has been in training seclusion in Big Bear for the

past month.

Training at 7,200 feet, Tiki says, teaches the body how to work

without as much oxygen.

“It really prepares you for the ring,” said Tiki, who is Ortiz’s best

friend and line of communication up until fight time. “Tito is just in

incredible shape and somewhat of a genetic freak, someone who just keeps

improving his body and conditioning.”

The 26-year-old, 6-foot-2 Ortiz will come into the UFC fight weighing

204 pounds with a 7-2 UFC record.

The platinum blond is known as the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” on the

UFC circuit, but Tiki says that persona is Ortiz’s ring persona.

“He’s really a down-to-earth guy and a great instructor,” Tiki said.

“In the ring, though, he’s something else.”

The six-foot Belfort, a 24-year-old from Brazil, is making his seventh

UFC appearance. He comes in at 204 pounds and is 5-1 in UFC competition.

Ortiz’s strengths, Tiki said, is that he is a “good wrestler and a

good puncher with a long reach. He’s also a good submission wrestler.”

Ortiz was a two-time state wrestling champion while at Golden West

College. He went on to wrestle briefly at Cal State Bakersfield and owns

a degree in physical education with a minor in special education.

Ortiz’s diet in preparation for the fight, Tiki says, consists of high

carbohydrate sources for energy.

Tiki is more than certain of Ortiz’s chances in Las Vegas.

“I think he’s unstoppable,” he stated. “The only way that I think he

can lose is if he beats himself. He’s just too prepared and has left

nothing to chance. He’s just too big and too strong and will own the ring

on fight night.”

At the HB Ultimate Training Center, Ortiz gives instruction in

wrestling. Tiki’s specialty is stand-up (kick boxing). Iha, originally

from Brazil and a seven-time UFC contender, teaches Jujitsu and

McCullough instructs kick boxing.

All four owners, who live in Huntington Beach, offer their specialty

classes throughout the day.

“The benefits of these types of workouts are immeasurable,” Tiki said.

“You not only learn discipline, but also hand-eye coordination, as well

as receive a tremendous cardiovascular workout. People like the classes

for various reasons and we invite anyone to come and give any of these

classes a try.”

Ortiz’s business partners will be in attendance Sept. 28 to root on

the favorite. Tiki, as usual, will be in Ortiz’s corner of the ring.

The light heavyweight championship fight is one of nine UFC bouts and

three championship title fights on the night.

“It should be an awesome fight,” Tiki said.