It’s well known now that Max Holloway, the reigning featherweight champion, and top-ten ranked pound-for-pound fighter withdrew from his scheduled fight against undefeated Brian Ortega due to ‘concussion-like symptoms‘ on Wednesday after open workouts and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
On Thursday at UFC 226 press conference, White said medical staff still unclear what went wrong with Holloway and for that reason, ‘Blessed’ will be out of action for the foreseeable future, ‘no way’ he fights anytime soon.
To remind you this withdrawal marked the third fight of 2018 that ‘Blessed’ has been pulled or forced to withdraw from.
Brian Ortega opted not to fight and wait for the champion to come back.
Holloway took to social media on Friday to give an update on the issue.
“It was what it was, Respect to Ortega and his team. Thank you Dana White and the UFC staff for making my health priority. Also thank you to Jeremy Stephens and Frankie Edgar for being about that champ life and stepping up. I see you.”
“To all the fans, I know this rollercoaster can be frustrating because my team is also on it with you. All I can say is I’m truly sorry and I hope you guys stay buckled in because it is far from being over. Don’t let the bad surprises distract you from the good surprises in this great sport. The best is still blessed.”
UFC 226 now has a new co-main event between heavyweight knock out artist Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis.
