Knee injury takes Brian Ortega out of fight against 'Korean Zombie' at UFC Busan

B. Ortega (photo) has a knee injury and is out of UFC Busan. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @briantcity

The last Ultimate show of 2019 suffered a huge loss. After suffering a knee injury, Brian ortega was forced to withdraw from the main fight of UFC Busan, on December 21, in which he would face 'Korean zombie'. The incident with the North American was announced by the athlete himself on his official Instagram account. So far, the company has not said whether there will be a replacement for the card.

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“I tore my (knee) ligaments in training and I'm not going to fight in (South) Korea. Fortunately, it was only partial, so I'm already rehabilitating and the plan is to get back to 100% in two or three months. I didn't want to disappoint the fans, the 'Zumbi' and the UFC, so I strongly considered fighting anyway, but according to the doctors, the risk of a complete rupture in the fight was high and that would leave me out. for up to a year”, wrote the fighter.

After the statement, the fighter once again expressed regret and apologized to his fans, saying he would return to the octagon as soon as possible.

“Sorry, guys. I have to take care of this now, but I will redeem myself with you in 2020. I promise”, concluded the athlete.

The duel against the 'Korean zombie' would mark Ortega's return to the Octagon after his loss to Max Holloway, when, together with his compatriot, he competed for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg.), in the fight that represented the main fight of UFC 231. On that occasion, Brian ended up succumbing to Max's blows and was defeated by technical knockout in the turn between the fourth and fifth round.

In a great phase of his career, 'Zumbi' would return to action after a great victory over the Brazilian Renato Moicano. The fighters faced each other in the main fight of UFC Greenville and, on that occasion, the South Korean surprised the Brasilia native with a knockout in the first round, making the winner take a significant leap in the category's ranking and rank in seventh place.

So far, Ultimate has not yet commented on a likely replacement for Ortega. UFC Busan marks the company's last edition in 2019.