The roles have changed for Ortega since that fight, as he has taken on the role or trainer, as the UFC star is helping actress Halle Berry learn jiu-jitsu for her upcoming role in the film “Bruised,” which will also serve as Berry’s directorial debut.
“I’ve been teaching since I was 16 years old – jiu-jitsu. I’m 28 now, so that’s not going to be an issue,” Ortega told TMZ (via MMA Junkie). “Of course, because it’s Halle, we’re not going to fight. But the whole thing is, jiu-jitsu is a beautiful art. (It’s one of) those few arts you can go 100 percent and not get hurt. So my main goal is to get her jiu-jitsu looking dope as (expletive). … We’re going to see some cool-ass things in (the movie). We’re going to drill her hard. I’m hoping this is the start of something great and she learns something and it looks great in the movie … and after she falls in love with the art, then she’ll be able to say, ‘You know what? I love this (expletive). Let’s keep going.'”
Deadline Hollywood provided the following synopsis of the film:
“(Jackie Justice, portrayed by Berry, is someone) who has failed at the one thing she’s ever been good at – fighting. When 6-year-old Manny, the son she walked out on years ago, returns to her doorstep, Jackie has to conquer her own demons, face one of the fiercest rising stars of the MMA world, and ultimately fight to become the mother this kid deserves.”
There is no return date set yet for Ortega and the UFC, but the fighter did recently state that he’d like to fight former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo next.
