TLDR
- Tito Ortiz is closing his restaurant Tito’s Cantina in Cape Coral, Florida after three years in business
- A February 28 boating accident at 55 MPH threw Ortiz from the boat and knocked him unconscious underwater
- Ortiz suffered a concussion lasting over four months, requiring neck surgery and ongoing medical care
- He has only been able to work at the restaurant about 15 times in the eight months since the accident
- The restaurant held UFC viewing parties and served authentic Mexican food, enjoying success in its first two years
Sources: yardbarker.com | galvnews.com | peta.org
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz announced he is closing his restaurant, Tito’s Cantina, following a severe boating accident that left him with multiple injuries. The Cape Coral, Florida restaurant will shut its doors permanently on Monday after three years of operation.
Ortiz shared the news on Instagram, thanking the local community for their support. “We’ve worked hard over the last three years, but as of this coming Monday, we’ll be closing our doors,” Ortiz said in his statement.
Tito Ortiz is closing his restaurant after three years pic.twitter.com/ss3fUVZ0Ae
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) September 30, 2026
The UFC Hall of Famer opened the restaurant to serve authentic Mexican food and became a popular spot for UFC viewing parties. Customers could watch fights while enjoying food, and the restaurant gave out championship belts during special events.
Legendary fighters including Randy Couture and Clay Guida previously visited the establishment. Ortiz described the first two years as very successful.
The Boat Accident That Changed Everything
On February 28, Ortiz was involved in a serious boating accident during a fishing tournament. He was a passenger on a friend’s boat traveling at 55 miles per hour when the autopilot malfunctioned.
“He clicked on the autopilot, and I was looking down. I had my feet on the dash, texting my buddies,” Ortiz explained. “When he clicked in the autopilot, the boat did a complete veer to the left and turned at a 45-degree angle, threw me off the boat.”
The crash knocked Ortiz unconscious and threw him into the water. He woke up 10 feet underwater and had to swim to the surface.
“I’ve been in a lot of fights and sparring, everything, but I’ve never been hit that hard,” Ortiz said. “I almost died, and it was scary for me, really, really scary for me.”
Eight Months of Recovery
The injuries from the accident proved severe and long-lasting. Ortiz suffered a concussion that lasted over four and a half months, requiring neck surgery and ongoing medical treatment.
He also experienced speech problems, numbness in his arms, and back issues. The former champion said he doesn’t remember the accident because of the concussion.
“Over the last eight months, I’ve been showing up for maybe 15 times. Maybe,” Ortiz stated. “It’s really hurt my business a lot, being injured.”
This is his first time running a restaurant, which he described as getting “a crash course” during the first year. Despite never having restaurant experience before, the business was successful in its initial years.
Ortiz is not the first UFC fighter to close a restaurant. Former UFC title challenger Johny Hendricks shut down his Big Rigg Steakhouse in 2016 due to poor customer reviews and financial losses.
Ortiz has been an animal rights supporter and previously worked with PETA on campaigns against dogfighting. He has two dogs that he treats like family members.
The restaurant closure comes eight months after the accident as Ortiz continues consulting with doctors about his injuries to his back, neck, and shoulders.
