Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Steve Austin Show
Episode: Tito Ortiz Is Coming For The Belt - SAS CLASSIC
Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Steve Austin
Guest: Tito Ortiz (Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, UFC Hall of Famer)

Overview

This episode features a candid, in-depth conversation between pro wrestling legend Steve Austin and MMA icon Tito Ortiz. The two discuss Tito’s upcoming fight with Alberto Del Rio (aka Alberto El Patrón) in Combate Americas, Tito’s storied past in MMA, his philosophies on fighting and life, personal battles outside the cage, and thoughts on legacy, family, and redemption. The tone is friendly, insightful, and often deeply personal, with both men reflecting on character, hard work, and what it truly means to be a champion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving, Life Updates, and Setting the Stage

[01:02-06:49]

• Steve opens with updates on life at the Broken Skull Ranch, plans for Thanksgiving, and tales about navigating family holiday travel in Los Angeles.
• Emphasis on enjoying the holidays and not stressing about dieting:

  “For all you people out there trying to watch your waistlines... One day ain’t gonna hurt your damn physique. Let it go.” — Steve Austin (04:45)

2. History and Reunion: Tito & Steve’s Shared Memories

[07:05-08:07]

• Reminiscing about meeting backstage at wrestling events around 2001.
• Mutual admiration for crossing paths within wrestling and MMA circuits.

3. Tito’s Approach to Training & Longevity

[08:08-12:00]

• In-depth discussion of Tito’s training regimen—using altitude simulation pods, hyperbaric chambers, and the science of recovery.
• Tito details his extensive injury history and ongoing commitment to staying in peak shape:

  “I’m recovering after doing a five-minute round of sparring or wrestling… I’m recovered, I’m ready to go.” — Tito Ortiz (09:37)

• Discussion on how simulated high-altitude training impacts stamina and recovery for fights.

4. Life Choices, Upbringing, and Escaping the Odds

[12:00-17:09]

• Tito opens up about his difficult upbringing, parental addiction, and how wrestling saved his life:

  “I found wrestling as a kid at the age of, you know, 15 years old, and it saved my life.” — Tito Ortiz (12:54)

• Insights on making difficult life choices—moving away from drugs, not becoming a victim, and the power of education and dedication.
• Steve and Tito discuss the importance of not letting circumstances define you:

  “You make the choices and you define yourself 100%.” — Steve Austin (16:54)

5. Fatherhood, Breaking the Cycle & Legacy

[17:09-20:25]

• Tito talks about instilling discipline, education, and work ethic in his children—contrasting his own parent’s neglect:

  “What’s hard is being a responsible parent, being a present parent, being a loving parent and being a part of the kid's life…” — Tito Ortiz (18:36)

• The struggle, pride, and responsibility of moving from broken roots to becoming a role model.

6. Dream of Professional Wrestling, Pageantry, and Persona

[20:25-27:51]

• Tito shares his childhood dream of being a pro wrestler and how he borrowed from pro wrestling personas (notably Steve’s) for fighter “bad boy” swagger:

  “I took a page out of your book… and I flipped the corner off. And that was for you, because you taught me that.” — Tito Ortiz (21:21)

• Development of the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” persona—rooted in a tough upbringing and punk rock attitude, but with clear personal rules and values:

  “I always had three things, three rules…don't lie about a person, don't talk about a person's family, and don't talk about a person's country. Those three things I held to my heart. But everything else was free game.” — Tito Ortiz (26:10)

7. Selling a Fight: Trash Talk with Honor

[29:54-31:14]

• Tito’s respects boundaries in fight promotion; he trashes, but with honor:

  “Why really attack a person’s character in that way when all they’re trying to do is provide for their family?” — Tito Ortiz (30:46)

8. Psychological Preparation & the Power of Visualization

[31:52-35:53]

• Tito details ritual and psychological stages before fights; transforming fear into happiness and focus, especially with advice from his son:

  “If you turn that fear into happiness, it’s the same feeling.” — Tito Ortiz’s son (33:59)
  “When that cage is locked behind me, I turn into a lion… I try to go in there and finish. I wear my heart on my sleeve.” — Tito Ortiz (34:38)

9. Reflections on Pro Wrestling and MMA Toughness

[35:53-39:09]

• Discussion on the physicality and similarities between pro wrestling and MMA and admiration for professional wrestlers’ resilience.
• Tito: “The ending performance is the best thing in the world... my hand raised and knowing that I put in the work…” (38:41)

10. Overcoming Personal Turmoil and Mental Health

[39:44-45:03]

• Transparent, emotional conversation about Tito’s toxic past relationship, court-mandated therapy, visiting and forgiving his still-addicted father, and surviving suicidal thoughts:

  “I almost killed myself. Almost did because I was a broken person.” — Tito Ortiz (44:12)

• Emergence as a survivor, using pain as a lesson:

  “When you get through the hard times, the great times are so much better… the hard times is what makes you a real person.” — Tito Ortiz (45:00)

11. The Weight of Legacy, Parenting, and Personal Growth

[46:51-50:07]

• Steve and Tito both share stories about tough, non-affectionate fathers, breaking generational cycles, and Tito’s commitment to constantly telling his kids he loves them.
• Importance of consistency, self-respect, and discipline for success:

  “I tell them I love them every day…Because my dad was never there for me. I never had that.” — Tito Ortiz (47:32)

12. Training Discipline Versus Living Life

[49:23-50:07]

• Balancing strict training camps with the need to “enjoy myself” between camps for longevity and happiness.

13. The Amber Nicole Miller Chapter: Support & Sacrifice

[40:33-55:08]

• Profound appreciation for his partner Amber, her commitment to his kids, making sacrifices, and providing a stable, supportive home:

  “She put my kids before herself…this is a keeper right here… She does everything in her power to be for them and non selfish.” — Tito Ortiz (50:06)

14. The Big Fight: Combate Americas & Alberto Del Rio

[55:08-64:24]

• How Tito’s Combate Americas deal emerged after UFC/Bellator, the Chuck Liddell bout, and hunger to keep competing.
• The uniqueness of the matchup—exchanging MMA and WWE world title belts, raising the stakes:

  “Tell Alberto to put his belt on the line. I’ll put my belt on the line. Winner takes all.” — Tito Ortiz (63:20)

• Deep personal value in the belt’s symbolism:

  “That is just all. Everything on the table. That’s my heart and soul.” — Tito Ortiz (65:02)

15. Dealing With Losses, Learning, and Motivation

[65:56-68:59]

• The pain of defeat and using setbacks as fuel:

  “Taking a loss is like a loved one down…But the losses are the ones that taught me the most out of any of my wins.” — Tito Ortiz (66:24, 67:55)

• “Triple Ds” — Dedication, Determination, Discipline.

16. How Long Will He Keep Fighting?

[68:59-71:20]

• Tito plans to take his fighting career one bout at a time, as long as his body and mind remain sharp.
• Entertains the idea of crossing over into pro wrestling—perhaps even achieving his boyhood dream of winning the WWE title.

17. Social & Media Plugs, Final Words

[71:53-73:23]

• Tito promotes his social channels and “Tito Ortiz Uncaged” YouTube show:
  • Twitter: @TitoOrtiz
  • Instagram: @TitoOrtiz1999
  • YouTube: T. Ortiz Uncaged
• Pledges to donate $50,000 to Alberto’s charity if the fight goes out of the first round.

  “I don’t see this fight getting out of the first round… This fight is not just a fight to me. This is my legacy. This is my name.” — Tito Ortiz (72:20)

• Steve closes with gratitude and best wishes for the fight.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “One day ain’t gonna hurt your damn physique. Let it go.” – Steve Austin (04:45)
• “I found wrestling as a kid… and it saved my life.” – Tito Ortiz (12:54)
• “I was a really bad kid… But I put in the work.” – Tito Ortiz (25:19)
• “When that cage is locked behind me, I turn into a lion… and I love it.” – Tito Ortiz (34:43)
• “I almost killed myself. Almost did because I was a broken person.” – Tito Ortiz (44:12)
• “I tell them I love them every day… Because my dad was never there for me.” – Tito Ortiz (47:32)
• “This fight is not just a fight to me. This is my legacy… I want that heavyweight title… I’m hungry. I’m ready to roar and eat for the first time.” – Tito Ortiz (72:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02]: Steve’s Thanksgiving/travel stories
• [06:55]: Tito enters, reminisces about their history
• [08:24]: Modern MMA training science (altitude, recovery)
• [12:00]: Tito’s childhood, wrestling, tough choices
• [17:09]: Parenting, breaking the cycle
• [20:25]: Tito’s dream of being a pro wrestler, borrowing “bad boy” style from wrestling
• [26:10]: Tito’s 3 rules for trash talk
• [31:52]: Rituals and mental preparation for combat
• [39:44]: Overcoming toxic relationships, therapy, forgiveness, and mental health
• [46:51]: Fatherhood, expressing love, self-improvement
• [55:08]: How Combate Americas deal and Del Rio matchup got made
• [63:20]: The “winner take all belts” stipulation
• [66:20]: Learning from losses
• [68:59]: How long Tito plans to fight
• [71:22]: Social media plugs and final hype for the fight

Closing Thoughts

This episode blends hard-hitting fight talk with heartfelt revelations about struggle, redemption, and legacy. It’s much more than hype for Tito’s upcoming match; it’s a window into the mindset of a world-class fighter and father, and a showcase for Steve Austin’s talent as a straight-shooting, empathetic interviewer.

For more:

• Tito’s fight vs. Alberto Del Rio is set for December 7th.
• “Tito Ortiz Uncaged” is on YouTube for a behind-the-scenes look at his life and training.
• Follow both Steve and Tito on their respective social platforms for updates and new content.

Bottom Line: Expect a fight fueled by legacy, pride, and the relentless pursuit of personal redemption—inside and outside the cage.