UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway was scheduled to meet undefeated Brian Ortega in the co-main of UFC 226 on Saturday, July 7 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Unfortunately on Wednesday night news broke that rocked the MMA World that Holloway was pulled out of his title fight against Ortega due to a health scare. Today UFC announced Ortega would wait for Holloway’s return and prefer not to compete at UFC 226 card.
According to MMAFighting, Ortega’s coach Rener Gracie mentioned, Brian would only stay in the card if it’s a title fight, later he said, Ortega, wouldn’t fight.
There were initial reports from LAtimes that Holloways vs. Ortega is in the discussion for UFC 227, but Holloway’s team didn’t release any statement on this matter.
UFC officials tried to set up a showdown between Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens for the interim title for the co-main event, but ‘Answer’ needed more time for preparation.
On Thursday UFC Officials announced that Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis would serve as a new co-main event and a welterweight contest between Mike Perry and Paul Felder moved to the main card.
Check out UFC’s official statement below:
Featherweight champion Max Holloway is out of his scheduled bout against Brian Ortega due to injury and the fight has been removed from Saturday’s UFC 226 card. Stepping into the co-main event position is a highly-anticipated heavyweight bout featuring No. 1-ranked Francis Ngannou and No. 5-ranked Derrick Lewis. The bout featuring Paul Felder and Mike Perry will move to the main card.
The four athletes will be available at today’s press conference in Las Vegas at 3 p.m. PT, which will be available to view online at www.ufc.com.
UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier is taking place at T-Mobile Arena this Saturday, July 7 and is available on pay-per-view starting at 10 p.m. ET.
