The ‘Bad Boy’ turned ‘People’s Champion’ is reveling in his new role teaching MMA to his community.

Q: When you first started, fighting mixed martial arts was nothing like it is today. Can you remind us of some of the things you started?

Tito: “Well I was one of the first guys to start a clothing company, of course. And I still own Punishment Athletics also.

I was also one of the first guys to do fighter cards, even before Topps came along. I was doing that a long time ago, but it was all a part of my PR. In the cage, there have been quite a few.

I was one of the first guys to headline a card in Las Vegas, I’ve been one of the biggest money-makers for a long time. I was also one of the first guys to do a banner too, you know, that’s what it’s all about.

It’s about the PR and self-promotion. Product placement in the right areas and I just understood all that, from day one.”

Q: You always got the business and marketing stuff that’s true, but were there any mistakes you made along the way?

A: “The biggest changes have been brought on by injuries to be honest, so you can’t really change that. I’ve gone through the types of injuries that most athletes would never compete after again.

I’ve gone through having a two-level back fusion, I’ve had my neck fusioned. But I got lucky. I was able to come back, but I just had to make the most of what I had in front of me.

I was very thankful. God has blessed me with some great skills and somewhere along the line he helped me to get healed too.

My back is now better than ever.”

Q: You’ve achieved so much in your career, both inside the Octagon, and outside of it regarding your clothing line and having your own gym and everything, but have you had time yet to take a step back and appreciate the mark you have made on MMA?

A: “Of course, I think about the journey I have been on all of the time. But I always set myself even bigger and better goals.

I never wanted to limit myself and I will never be satisfied, and I think that is something that I try to pass on to young people perhaps making their way into any sport, or life for that matter.

You should never be satisfied. Always try to work for the next level and the next step. Right now as well as fighting I have the gym I’m pushing and developing all the time, I have the clothing line and I am working on a Punishment supplement range too.

I understand that I am coming to the end of my fight game, and I’ve only got a few more fights in me. Nobody knows that more than me, and I don’t plan on overstaying my welcome.

And yes, it’s been challenging to keep doing this for 14 years. With the injuries I’ve had and everything, but I keep my nose to the grindstone and I grind away day by day. And sure it’s been tough, but I just try to stay positive and take things as they come.”

Q: What is your goal with the Punishment Training Center, here in your home town of Huntington Beach?

A: “My goal is really to give something back to the community.

The gym is here for kids who want to learn MMA, or want to learn wrestling, and I want to give them that opportunity.

When I was growing up I never had gyms that were happy to show us jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing, or wrestling.

But this place is here to give everyone that opportunity, whether it be girls or guys, or kids, to get in shape and build their confidence.

So they can stay in shape and learn mixed martial arts.”

Q: A sport that you helped build?

A: “Yeah, man, it’s been a long time, coming up to 15 years. It’s crazy, completely crazy, but I’ve love it.”