UFC 231: Max Holloway dominates Brian Ortega, defends featherweight belt and even challenges heavyweight

Holloway defends featherweight belt at UFC 231. Photo: Facebook @ufc

Max Holloway It took him another year to defend the featherweight belt (up to 61.2 kg.), But the Hawaiian only needed one fight to prove why Ultimate waited for his return. In an almost perfect performance, he dominated the previously undefeated Brian ortega, punished his rival for 20 minutes and won the duel due to medical interruption at the end of the fourth round. The fight was the main attraction of UFC 231, an event held this Saturday (08), in Toronto (CAN).

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“I want to ask if there is anyone else in line. You can send it! Ortega was a great opponent, but I'm here to stay. It wasn't easy, but my goal is to be number one pound-for-pound. If I have to face a heavyweight, I will face it

The fight

The duel began with Holloway taking the initiative and connecting the first blows. The champion used his greater wingspan to land good jabs on Ortega's face. The challenger absorbed the attacks well and waited for the best opportunity to take down. In one of the attacks, Ortega even managed to get a takedown, but was unable to keep the champion on the ground. Confident in the fight, Max lowered his guard on several occasions and called his rival to exchange blows, however, Brian did not join in the provocation.

Holloway came back even better for the second round. The champion soon landed a good kick on Ortega's leg and continued with his fighting volume. He connected several clean jabs, which opened spaces for more powerful attacks with straights and crosses. Holloway's intensity soon opened a cut on the challenger's face. At the end of the partial, Brian was already showing great wear and tear, while Max called the crowd to fight.

After not meeting in the previous round, Ortega came back ready to change the course of the fight in the third round. The challenger surprised Holloway and two blows landed on the champion. The challenger started to try for the submission, but Max recovered and quickly returned to the contest. The champion connected good attacks and balanced the duel.

Willing not to give 'soup to bad luck', Holloway returned for the fourth round to end the fight. The champion lowered his guard, provoked, connected several blows on Ortega, who insisted on not falling. The challenger resisted against the fence, but Holloway did not reduce the intensity of his attacks. Unable to compete standing up, Brian tried to take the fight to the ground, however, the champion kept throwing combinations with punches and knees. The enormous pressure caused Brian's left eye to close completely. After a huge punishment, Holloway finally managed a knockdown. But Ortega tried to sweep his rival to the ground and forced the champion to get up in the final seconds of the round.

Before the start of the fifth round, the doctor entered the octagon, examined Brian ortega and stated that the challenger would not be able to continue in the duel due to the swelling in his eye.

Ortega ends the fight with a swollen eye. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc#url

UFC 231 results

Main Card

Feather weight: Max Holloway derrotou Brian ortega due to medical interruption 5m away from R4 – fight for the belt

Fly weight: Valentina Shevchenko derrotou Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) – fight for the belt

Welterweight: Gunnar Nelson defeated Alex Cowboy via submission (rear naked choke) at 4m17s of R2

Feather weight: Hakeem dawodu defeated Kyle Bochniak via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 27-30)

Light Heavyweight: Thiago Marreta defeated Jimmi Manuwa by knockout 41s into R2

Preliminary Card

Straw weight: Nina ansaroff derrotou Claudia Gadelha in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28 29-28 29-28)

Lightweight: Gilbert Durinho derrotou Olivier Aubin-Mercier in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Fly weight: Jessica Eye derrotou Katlyn chookagian in the judges' split decision (29-28 28-29 29-28)

Middleweight: Elias Theodorou defeated Erik Anders in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Bantamweight: Brad Katona defeated Matthew Lopez via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Welterweight Weight: Dhiego Lima defeated Chad Laprise by knockout 1m37s of R1

Lightweight: Carlos Diego Ferreira derrotou kyle nelson by technical knockout at 1m23s of R2

Light Heavyweight: Aleksandar rakic derrotou Devin Clark by technical knockout at 4m05s of R1

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