from www.latimes.com – UFC has issued a statement in response to Monday’s arrest of Tito Ortiz by Huntington Beach police for alleged domestic violence against Jenna Jameson.

“We’re all aware of it, and any comment would be best handled by the authorities,” UFC spokeswoman Jennifer Wenk said.

Former light-heavyweight champion Ortiz was scheduled to fight rival and ex-lightweight champ Chuck Liddell in June in Vancouver at the conclusion of their participation in “The Ultimate Fighter” reality television series on Spike TV, but the UFC announced earlier this month Ortiz was being replaced in the bout by former middleweight champion Rich Franklin.

UFC President Dana White declined to comment on why Ortiz was being replaced, but it’s believed he endured an injury during filming. Ortiz fought Forrest Griffin in November and lost a decision. Ortiz endured back pain and underwent surgery before the Griffin fight.

The former CIF wrestling champion from Huntington Beach High School has been a shadow of his former talent since losing a December 2006 title fight to Liddell that at that point was the UFC’s most lucrative fight in history.

White had previously painted Ortiz as a moody, diva-type of personality. He and Jameson often attended UFC fights, and earlier this year, Ortiz made a disparaging comment to veteran fighter Mark Coleman after a loss, provoking Coleman to swear at the so-called “Huntington Beach Bad Boy.”

In the past, Ortiz has described porn star Jameson as “my hero” for making millions of dollars making movies after being abused as a child. Ortiz, himself, said he experimented with methamphetamine as a teenager, and expressed pride about the professional success he had achieved.