Tito Ortiz is closing the doors to Tito’s Cantina after three years in business, with the UFC Hall of Famer revealing that injuries from a boating accident left him unable to give the restaurant the presence he felt it needed.
“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” announced the decision in an emotional late-night social media post on Tuesday, revealing that the Cape Coral, Florida restaurant will close after serving its final customers on Sunday, October 4.
Tito Ortiz Explains Why He Had To Close His Restaurant
Ortiz said the restaurant had enjoyed significant success during its first two years, but his circumstances changed dramatically after a boating accident on February 28.
“I’ve been hurt now for the last eight months,” Ortiz said. “It’s been hard. I’ve had neck surgery. I had a concussion for over 4½ months.”
The former UFC light heavyweight champion explained that his recovery prevented him from being around the business as frequently as he had been before, creating financial pressure that eventually became impossible to overcome.
“After being away for almost nine months and the injury that I’ve had, the recovery I’ve been going through, I’ve been digging a hole so deep that I can’t get myself out of it,” Ortiz said.
“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” said the restaurant itself was running well, but his inability to be there consistently made it difficult to keep the business financially sustainable. He ultimately decided that continuing to personally cover the costs was no longer realistic.
Despite the difficult decision, Ortiz expressed gratitude toward his staff, co-owner Brian Rowland and the Cape Coral community for supporting the restaurant. He said the venue allowed him to celebrate countless birthdays, holidays and UFC fight nights with customers who became friends.
Ortiz also confirmed that Tito’s Cantina is available for purchase, describing the business as fully operational and ready for a new owner.
The restaurant will remain open through Sunday, with food, drink and merchandise specials planned throughout its final week. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” will also be at the restaurant to meet customers, take pictures and say goodbye before the doors close for good.
The final week will include a fight night on Saturday, followed by the restaurant’s final day of service on Sunday.
