UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway was unable to defend his title opposite Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 on March 3 after suffering an injury.
Later, a surging contender Brian Ortega stepped in as Holloway’s replacement who ended up brutally knocking out Frankie Edgar and earned a title shot against Holloway.
After Ortega’s win with a record of 14-0 in the UFC, Holloway was on board right away. He posted on social media that he wants the fight for UFC 226 during International Fight Week in July and said he is ready to test Brian Ortega:
“My interest in fighting: I’m very intrigued,” Holloway told MMAjunkie. “I can’t wait to fight. I love fighting and I love competition. You want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. The best is ‘Blessed,’ and right now he’s saying and people are saying he’s the one. I can’t wait. We’ll find out. […] He proved to the world why he’s the No. 1 contender. Looks like I’ve got a new cupcake flavor, so I’m excited. I like horchata, so I can get that horchata flavor – it’s delicious.”
“I think this fight is huge. He’s got a lot of fans. It’s exciting. I think it’s a huge fight. I think people are talking more about this one than the Frankie [Edar] one. It’s cool; this is finally the first fighter that I didn’t watch growing up. Everyone is telling me he’s the future, but I’m right here. I’m the present. […] Last year I was the GOAT featherweight, now this year I’m a nobody and a guy who is going to lose my belt because time passed me, but last year was three months ago. These guys think they’re going to beat me and it’s just another reason why I’m going to prove I’m the best to do it. These are the kind of fights I want.”
“KEEP DOUBTING. IT’S ONLY MORE HYPE FOR ME WHEN I GO OUT THERE AND DO MY THING.”
Ortega is just about the hottest thing going in the featherweight division outside the champ. All six of his UFC victories have been by stoppage.
There is much hype going around this matchup, with many experts believing that this is the biggest featherweight bout since Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor at UFC 194 back in 2015. It’s the reason Holloway believes this fight is huge.
Ortega has proved that he’s not just a mere contender, but a true challenger to the throne, although “Blessed” isn’t too concerned with the doubters.
Who do you think will win this mega fight-Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega?
