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Brian Ortega opens up on struggles growing up in Los Angeles projects as son of Mexican immigrants

LOS ANGELES — Brian Ortega knew things had gone down the wrong path for him and his family many years ago. He had spent some time in jail. His sisters were struggling with addiction; one methamphetamine, the other alcohol.

One time, his mother came to bail him out of jail. Ortega drove the car home and saw a woman on the street strung out on drugs.

“You know when you see people talking to themselves and you go, ‘Oh, I feel sorry for that person,’” Ortega said Wednesday at a media lunch ahead of UFC 226.