UFC champion Tito Ortiz reveals he fled home state California because of Newsom's leadership

‘The Daily Show’ took aim at Gov. Gavin Newsom in a ‘Showography’ segment Wednesday that framed him as a ‘leading man,’ mocking his record on homelessness and the high-speed rail construction in the state.

UFC champion Tito Ortiz never wanted to leave his home state of California. 

Born and raised in Huntington Beach, he became a local leader as a council member and later mayor pro tempore of the city. 

It's where he built his life as a mixed martial arts star. 

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Tito Ortiz (R) battles Forrest Griffin during their Light Heavyweight Fight at the UFC 106 in 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (2009 Getty Images)

But now, at age 51, with a family, Ortiz believed it was not a feasible place to raise his children.

"I never wanted to leave California. But I left because of the crime, the fraud and the growing threat to the safety of my children. Like millions of other parents, I made the difficult decision to move my family to Florida — not for opportunity, but for protection. No parent should ever be forced to flee their home state to keep their children safe," Ortiz told Fox News Digital. 

Ortiz blames Gov. Gavin Newsom for the conditions that have pushed his family out of the state.

"Gavin Newsom’s failures didn’t start in Sacramento. He helped devastate San Francisco, then exported those same disastrous policies statewide. The result is undeniable: exploding crime, rampant fraud, lawless streets, unaffordable housing, crushed small businesses and families who no longer feel safe in their own communities," he added. 

"California cannot survive more of the same."

Newsom's office has responded to Ortiz's criticisms in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

"We’re not sure who Tito Ortiz