Dustin Ortiz (born December 25, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division and is currently signed to the Brave CF. A professional competitor since 2010, Ortiz has also formerly competed for the UFC, RFA, Tachi Palace Fights, King of the Cage and Strikeforce.

Background

Born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, Ortiz competed in wrestling at Franklin High School where he was a standout. After graduating, Ortiz was working in construction before being drawn to mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Ortiz made his professional MMA debut in February 2010, fighting Lucas Thomas at GFC 6, which Ortiz won via first round submission. Ortiz then signed a contract with Strikeforce, but only fought two times with the promotion, he beat Justin Pennington and Matt Horning in his two fights with Strikeforce. Ortiz made his King of the Cage debut in August 2012. In his first fight with KOTC he beat Thiago Veiga by unanimous decision. Ortiz took a small break from MMA shortly after, but returned in January 2013, fighting at RFA 6, he beat Aaron Ely by split decision. Ortiz returned to King of the Cage in what would be his last independent fight before signing with UFC, he fought MMA veteran Mike French to a unanimous decision win.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

It was announced Ortiz would be making his debut at UFC Fight Night 27 against Justin Scoggins, but the bout was removed from the card for unknown reasons.

Ortiz instead made his debut against Jose Maria Tome at UFC Fight Night 32 in November 2013. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Ortiz faced John Moraga on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35. He lost the fight via split decision.

Ortiz was expected to face Alptekin Ozkilic on April 11, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 39. However, on April 3, the fight was cancelled due to an injury to Ozkilic. Subsequently, Ortiz was quickly rescheduled and faced promotional newcomer Ray Borg on April 19, 2014, at UFC on Fox 11. Ortiz edged out Borg for a split decision victory.

Ortiz faced Juan Ramirez on May 7, 2014, at the World Championship, winning via Submission (armbar)

Ortiz faced Justin Scoggins on July 6, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale. He won the fight via split decision.

Ortiz faced Joseph Benavidez on November 22, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 57. Ortiz lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

A rematch with Ian McCall was expected to take place on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73. However, McCall pulled out of the fight in late July citing injury and was replaced by Willie Gates. Ortiz dominated the fight with his wrestling and won via TKO in the third round.

Ortiz faced Wilson Reis on January 30, 2015, at UFC on Fox 18. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Ortiz next faced Jussier Formiga on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Ortiz faced Zach Makovsky on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206. He won the fight via split decision.

Ortiz next faced Brandon Moreno on April 22, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 108. He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Ortiz faced Hector Sandoval on August 5, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 114. He won the fight via knockout just fifteen seconds into the first round, the fastest knockout in UFC Flyweight history. The win also earned Ortiz his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Ortiz faced Alexandre Pantoja on January 20, 2018, at UFC 220. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Ortiz faced Matheus Nicolau on July 28, 2018, at UFC on Fox 30. He won the fight via knockout due to a head kick and follow-up punches in the first round.

A rematch with Joseph Benavidez took place on January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 143. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In an interview in January 2019, Henry Cejudo revealed that Ortiz was released from the UFC. In February 2019, Ortiz clarified that he was offered a release from his contract but opted to fight Benavidez as the last fight of his contract.

Post-UFC career

After his release from the UFC, Ortiz signed with the Brave CF. His first bout in the Flyweight tournament was a Quarter-final bout against fellow UFC veteran Ali Bagautinov on April 1, 2021, at Brave CF 50. Despite keeping the bout competitive, Ortiz lost via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
29 matches20 wins9 losses
By knockout80
By submission51
By decision78
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win20–9Dillon TolbertSubmission (guillotine choke)Valor Underground 2November 20, 202113:01Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss19–9Ali BagautinovDecision (unanimous)Brave CF 50April 1, 202135:00Arad, BahrainFlyweight Tournament Quarter-Final Bout.
Loss19–8Joseph BenavidezDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. DillashawJanuary 19, 201935:00Brooklyn, New York, United States
Win19–7Matheus NicolauKO (head kick and punches)UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2July 28, 201813:49Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Win18–7Alexandre PantojaDecision (unanimous)UFC 220January 20, 201835:00Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win17–7Hector SandovalKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. MorenoAugust 5, 201710:15Mexico City, MexicoPerformance of the Night.
Loss16–7Brandon MorenoTechnical Submission (rear-naked choke)UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. LobovApril 22, 201724:06Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win16–6Zach MakovskyDecision (split)UFC 206December 10, 201635:00Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss15–6Jussier FormigaDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. LansbergSeptember 24, 201635:00Brasília, Brazil
Loss15–5Wilson ReisDecision (unanimous)UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. BaderJanuary 30, 201635:00Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win15–4Willie GatesTKO (elbows and punches)UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Saint PreuxAugust 8, 201532:58Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss14–4Joseph BenavidezDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. SwansonNovember 22, 201435:00Austin, Texas, United States
Win14–3Justin ScogginsDecision (split)The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn FinaleJuly 6, 201435:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win13–3Ray BorgDecision (split)UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. BrowneApril 19, 201435:00Orlando, Florida, United States
Loss12–3John MoragaDecision (split)UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. PhilippouJanuary 15, 201435:00Duluth, Georgia, United States
Win12–2José Maria ToméTKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. HendersonNovember 9, 201333:19Goiânia, Brazil
Win11–2Mike FrenchDecision (unanimous)KOTC: Train WreckJanuary 27, 201335:00Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States
Win10–2Aaron ElyDecision (split)RFA 6January 18, 201335:00Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win9–2Thiago VeigaDecision (unanimous)KOTC: Sudden StrikeAugust 4, 201235:00Walker, Minnesota, United States
Loss8–2Josh RobinsonDecision (split)NAFC: ColosseumMay 4, 201235:00Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United StatesCatchweight (130 lbs) bout.
Win8–1Josh RaveTKO (doctor stoppage)TPF 11: RedemptionDecember 2, 201134:38Lemoore, California, United States
Loss7–1Ian McCallDecision (unanimous)TPF 9May 6, 201135:00Lemoore, California, United States
Win7–0Matt HorningTKO (punches)Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. SaffiedineJanuary 7, 201132:10Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win6–0Cory AlexanderTKO (punches)GFC: Gameness Fight Championship 8October 9, 201034:46Nashville, Tennessee, United StatesWon the GFC Flyweight Championship.
Win5–0Andrew HigginsTKO (punches)GFC: Gameness Fight SeriesJuly 15, 201023:52Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win4–0Forrest BeardSubmission (rear-naked choke)GFC: Gameness Fight Championship 7June 19, 201011:28Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win3–0Lucas ThomasSubmission (punches)GFC: Gameness Fight SeriesMay 20, 201011:15Goodlettsville, Tennessee, United States
Win2–0Justin PenningtonSubmission (rear-naked choke)Strikeforce: NashvilleApril 17, 201014:27Nashville, Tennessee, United StatesFlyweight debut.
Win1–0Lucas ThomasSubmission (arm-triangle choke)GFC: Gameness Fighting Championship 6February 20, 201011:00Nashville, Tennessee, United States

See also

External links