Undefeated Brian Ortega needed less than one round at UFC 222 to do something never done before.
Brian Ortega scores the biggest win of his MMA career last night (Sat., March 3, 2018) after becoming the first person ever to knock out Frankie Edgar inside the Octagon. With 16 seconds left in the first round, Ortega ended proceedings convincingly with a brutal right uppercut that left former UFC champion Edgar flat on his back.
Ortega, who likely earned a featherweight title shot against dominant champion Max Holloway with his latest spectacular finish.
Ortega has won six straight fights since a no-contest in his UFC debut, with stoppages in all six fights.
Edgar was supposed to get his title shot at UFC 222 against Max Holloway before the featherweight champion was forced to pull out with a leg injury.
Edgar is now 3-2 in his last five bouts in UFC.
Following the fight, UFC champ Conor McGregor posted on social media, “Frankie’s career deserved for that to be against me tonight,”
Frankie's career deserved for that to be against me tonight.
Respect Frankie.
Love and respect always!
A true fighters fighter ❤— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 4, 2018
Frankie’s career deserved for that to be against me tonight.
Respect Frankie.
Love and respect always!
A true fighters fighter ❤
McGregor offered to step in to face Frankie Edgar when featherweight champion Max Holloway was unable to fight in the main event if UFC 222 because of an injury. It’s well known that McGregor’s offer was uncertain on the UFC allowing him and Edgar to fight for a 165-pound title.
Not long ago, Edgar got respect from dominant champion Max Holloway who took to social media to praise Edgar for taking a dangerous fight against Ortega:
You had nothing to gain from taking that fight @FrankieEdgar. But you took it you defended what you already earned. There’s no belt for sacrificing everything but true fans and Jersey knows no belt can outshine what you bring to the sport. Chin up bratha
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) March 4, 2018
You had nothing to gain from taking that fight @FrankieEdgar. But you took it you defended what you already earned. There’s no belt for sacrificing everything but true fans and Jersey knows no belt can outshine what you bring to the sport. Chin up bratha
Holloway is itchy to get back in the Octagon, tweeting at UFC that he wants to defend his title against undefeated Brian Ortega at UFC 226. ‘Blessed’ is on a ridiculous 12-fight win streak and hasn’t tasted defeat in more than four years.
