Tito Ortiz Fined For Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Tossing Water at Opponent During Bellator 131

Tito Ortiz was meted with a hefty fine by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) for inappropriate gestures during his split decision win over Stephen Bonnar during Bellator 131 at San Diego's Valley View Casino. The polarizing fighter is scheduled to shell out $2,500 for tossing water at his opponent post-fight and a two-fingered salute which officials found unsportsmanlike.

The $2,500 fine will not put considerable dent on the fight purse of Ortiz which reportedly is in the hefty figure of $300,000. CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster relayed that the organization seriously took the double-bird, two-middle-fingered salute.

"I assessed a $2,500 fine due to unsportsmanlike conduct (rule 390) on Mr. Ortiz," Foster explained via Yahoo Sports. "He apologized, paid the fine, and I consider the matter closed."

Ortiz and Bonnar have some history of animosity together. This was on full display when they got together for a photo shoot promoting the fight. The light heavyweight contenders were involved in pushing and jawing incident last September at Bellator 123 that escalated to a short-lived rumpus. While the two fighters were not sanctioned in the said incident, some rule changes that will include the new outfit into the Mohegan Department of Athletic regulation will address future incidents.

The bad blood between the two did not spill over even post-fight. After Ortiz won using several grappling techniques to earn a split decision over his rival, the winner was visibly gloating in victory and tossed a bottle of water on a laid on his back Bonnar. He even flashed one of his signature t-shirts to the crown that said "his mouth wrote a check that his ass couldn't crack."

In the end, his bravado still was key to his win as two of the three judges gave him the win with just dissenting juror viewing the fight in favour of Bonnar, 29-28. The Ortiz win showed that the former UFC sensation can still bring the crowd and the spectacles of a mixed martial arts event.