A post shared by Alberto El Patron (@prideofmexico) on Oct 30, 2019 at 1:57pm PDT
The Pride of Mexico, an interesting term to break down for this matchup. Tito Ortiz (20-12-1) flies the Mexican and American flag but with Ortiz being an avid MAGA supporter who proudly wears the red hat, it’s clear that the Mexico born Alberto El Patrón (9-5) epitomizes the spirit of the Mexican people and rightfully earns the nickname. As the Pride of Mexico, Alberto El Patrón looks to return to the cage for the first time in 9 years exclusively for Combate Americas. He hopes to gain a victory over the former UFC champion this Saturday at the Payne Arena in McAllen TX only on PPV.
A post shared by TEAM ADR (@adr_fans) on Dec 5, 2019 at 9:33am PST
In this era of racial tension, fewer things stand against the Mexican and Latinx people more than the MAGA leader and its brand. Seeing El Patrón choke the life out of Ortiz may feel like a small personal victory for those who have been personally victimized by the brand and its ilk. In reality, this may be Alberto El Patrón‘s best way of securing a victory as 67% of his wins have come by submission compared to Ortiz’s 20%. With Ortiz’s long career as an accomplished wrestler, El Patrón seeks to neutralize the particular style by bringing in expert wrestler, Ryan Bader, to help with his training camp. The warring sides have made their way out of the cage and to the top of the political spectrum where both opponents have invited their respective world leaders to attend in their favor.
A post shared by Alberto El Patron (@prideofmexico) on Sep 27, 2019 at 2:51pm PDT
Tito Ortiz invited the President and the first family to attend the event going as far as asking that two of #45’s children walk Ortiz to the cage. Ortiz told TMZ, “I’m inviting our president.” He continues, “I invite you, please to come to my fight … I guarantee this time, we’ll get a knockout. We’re true Americans that do it the right way.” With Ortiz championing the American way, it’s only fitting that El Patrón support the United States’ southern neighbor, Mexico. In a quick interview with TMZ, El Patrón said, “I invited the Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the Mexican president is coming for my fight.” Speaking on Ortiz, El Patrón states, “You have Mexican blood all over your body, and you hate Mexicans and Latinos coming into this country.”
A post shared by Alberto El Patron (@prideofmexico) on Nov 2, 2019 at 8:36am PDT
The tension and its implication are that Ortiz has denied his Mexican side in favor of the American. El Patrón, who now lives in San Antonio, TX with his family, doesn’t see a reason the two sides can’t live in peace. It doesn’t have to be one or the other when there is plenty of room for both to thrive. El Patrón continued, “I was born in Mexico, but made in America.” El Patrón is alluding to his start as a luchador for AAA Wrestling in Mexico City. Being the son of legendary Luchador, Dos Caras, he began a burgeoning career in Mexico and Japan as Dos Caras Jr. but it wasn’t until he moved to the US to work for the WWE as Alberto Del Rio where he became the first Mexican born WWE Champion that his legacy as the Pride of Mexico truly began.
In between these stops in the squared circle for professional wrestling, Alberto El Patrón raked up an impressive mixed martial arts career. With stops in Deep, Pride FC, Cage of Combat and more, he remains one of the few MMA fighters to ever fight while wearing a mask to honor his Lucha Libre persona of Dos Caras Jr. Along the way, he has earned 3 knockouts and 6 submission victories and though he lacks the sheer number of fights that Ortiz has, El Patrón has a similar win/loss record which should make for a even bout. In the end, it’s the respect for his heritage that has kept El Patrón in the mainstream consciousness as a masked fighter in any form competition he chooses and the reason the people of Mexico continue to champion him.
A post shared by Combate Americas (@combateamericas) on Dec 2, 2019 at 1:43pm PST
The ideology of the modern American political lifestyle continues to be at odds with people not only from Mexico, but Central America, South America, and around the world. The solution isn’t as easy as who can land the knockout strike or choke their opponent into submission. Seeing as how this is the only visual representation we have on the current struggle, it’s no wonder the tag line for Combate Americas Tito Vs. Alberto match-up is “What Side Are You On?” and may be the brief respite we receive in this time of real political and racial strife. ■
Comments