A. Volkanovski (right) and B. Ortega (left) performed at the UFC 266. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
It went down in history. In the long-awaited meeting between Alexander Volkanovsky e Brian ortega, who headed the UFC 266, held this Saturday (25), in Las Vegas (USA), the athletes left everything in the Octagon. In a fight marked by aggression and technique, the Australian asserted his favoritism and, after 25 minutes of 'war', defended the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg.), remaining on the throne.
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Leader of the category since 2019, Volkanovski silenced some of the critics who question his ability to deliver a great show. Giving a physical conditioning 'class', the fighter managed to overcome the high resistance of an elite opponent.
With the victory, the Australian reaches his second belt defense. In addition to keeping the crown, the fighter also expanded his good momentum. Now, the champion has 20 consecutive victories and doesn't know what it's like to lose for eight years.
Although he showed a lot of heart in the confrontation, Brian ortega his dream of a belt being postponed once again. Punished for part of the fight, the athlete drew applause from the public that filled the T-Mobile Arena and came close to victory on two occasions.
The fight
The duel began with Volkanovski launching the first blow, with a low kick. Ortega saved his attacks and waited for the best moment to attack. Brian tried to surprise with a sequence of two high kicks, but the attacks stopped in the champion's guard. Alexander closed the distance and hit his opponent with a clean right to the face. Ortega responded in kind and shook the category leader. Volkanovski began to put pressure on his opponent and scored with precise attacks. Alexander's strategy forced Ortega to walk backwards. In the final seconds, Brian once again knocked the champion off balance with a left cross. The assault ended with the athletes studying each other in the center of the Octagon.
In the second stage, the athletes returned aggressive, exchanging blows in the center of the Octagon. The champion maintained an offensive posture, chasing the challenger around the cage. After just over a minute, Alexander launched a low kick, but ended up being surprised by a combination of punches from his opponent. Halfway through the round, the champion put pressure on his opponent again and rocked Brian with a straight shot. With his face badly bruised, the American walked away from the bars and tried to discount the champion's actions. The round ended, but the fighters continued to provoke each other in the Octagon.
In the opening seconds of the third round, Volkanovski knocked Ortega off balance with a low kick. The champion continued to rely on low kicks and tried to undermine the challenger's base. Brian struck again after a clean cross applied by the Australian. Sensing the good moment, Alexander continued to apply pressure and applied the best blows. Halfway through the stage, the North American surprised the Australian with a counterattack, knocking the athlete down and landing a guillotine choke. The Australian showed courage, left the position and reversed the position. Alexander started to strike from the top, but got careless and was caught in a triangle. Once again, the champion managed to free himself and took advantage of the scare with cruel ground and pound. Punished in the final seconds, Ortega ended up saved by the bell.
The penultimate stage began with the champion willing to knock out. The Australian threw two overhands, but the attacks went empty. Brian responded with two jabs and the Australian responded in kind. After just over a minute, the challenger got the belt, took him down and tried a hand triangle. Volkanovski exploded again and reversed the situation. From above, the Australian struck with elbows from top to bottom and the North American defended himself as best he could. The champion continued to score with ground and pound, while Brian defended himself as best he could. In the final seconds, Volkanovski allowed Ortega to get up, but there was no more time.
In the last round, Brian threw a high kick, but the attack stopped in the champion's guard. The Australian closed the distance and attacked the challenger with jabs and straight shots. The fighters went into a frank fight in the center of the octagon and excited the audience present at the T-Mobile Arena. At a disadvantage in the confrontation, Brian showed that he was 'alive' and tried to surprise the champion. Volkanovski, however, showed physical fitness. In the final minute, the athletes exchanged blows until the timer reached zero.
UFC 266 results
MAIN CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Alexander Volkanovsky derrotou Brian ortega in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 49-46, 50-44) – Fight for the belt
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Valentina Shevchenko derrotou Lauren Murphy by technical knockout 4m from R4 – Fight for the belt
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Robbie Lawler derrotou Nick Diaz by technical knockout at 44s of R3
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Curtis blaydes derrotou Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Jessica Stacker derrotou Cynthia calvillo by technical knockout at 4m54s of R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Bantamweight (up to 61.kg): Merab Dvalishvili derrotou Marlon moraes by technical knockout at 4m25s of R3
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Dan Hooker derrotou Nasrat Haqparast in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Chris Daukas defeated Shamil Abdurakhimov via TKO at 1m32s of R2
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Taila Santos defeated Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): jalin turner finished Uros Medic with a rear naked choke at 4m01s of R1
Middleweight (up to 83,9kg): Nick Maximov defeated Cody Brundage in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Matthew Semelsberger defeated Martin Sano Jr. by knockout 15 seconds into R1
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Jonathan Pearce finished Omar Morales with a rear naked choke at 3m31s of R2
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