In 2013, Ryan Riess etched his name in poker history when he won the World Series of Poker Main Event for $8,361,570. Add in nearly another million in lifetime cashes, and you have one of the best poker players ever to come out of Michigan (the only player ahead of him on that state’s all-time money list is 2009 WSOP champ Joe Cada).
Riess made the journey south for the PokerStars Championship Panama, and he just jumped into action here on Day 1a.
According to his Twitter, Riess has been enjoying his time here in Panama.
Panama is awesome. Gorgeous women, cost of living is cheap, weather is great. Highly recommend
Day 1a of the PokerStars Championship Panama Main Event is expected to draw a special player – Friend of PokerStars Tito Ortiz. If you followed mixed martial arts (MMA), and especially the UFC, then you’re familiar with Ortiz. Even if you don’t, you might recognize him from his stint on the 2008 edition Celebrity Apprentice alongside now-President Donald Trump.
The former Light Heavyweight Champion, who in 2012 became the ninth fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, has a MMA record of 19 wins (eight knockouts, five submission, and six by decision) and 12 losses (four by knockout, three by submission, five by decision, and one draw).
He was a beast in the octagon, and now he’s trying to best opponents on the felt. Ortiz, who was formerly married to Jenna Jameson, is no stranger to poker though. He appeared on PokerStars Shark Cage, and in 2015 competed at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) in the Bahamas.
Ortiz is in the building but has yet to take his seat, instead opting to chat up Felipe Ramos in the hallway. He should be in action soon, and you can rest assured that we’ll be keeping an eye on him to see how he fares in the 2017 PokerStars Championship Panama Main Event.
.@PokerStars main event in Panama here I come. Time to kick some ass and take some names! @TraciSzy making it happen. ##poker #texasholdem
