Max Holloway vs Brian Ortega: A Closer Look
By Eduardo Ramon
Current Featherweight champion Max Holloway is well on his way to greatness, riding a 12 fight win streak spanning over the past 5 years. Having beaten multiple top contenders while on his way to the title, there are very few fighters who can prove to be an enticing challenge to the 145 belt.
Despite Holloway looking rather unstoppable especially in his past few fights, there are some who think Brian Ortega may dethrone the reigning champion.
Ortega (14-0), took the long road winning his first UFC fight in 2015 against Thiago Tavares. Since then Ortega has gone on to not only beat, but dominate top contenders such as Diego Brandao, Cub Swanson, and most recently and most emphatically knocking out the legend Frankie Edgar via uppercut last March.
The matchup between Holloway and Ortega is extremely intriguing for multiple reasons, Holloway is relatively used to having the size advantage over his opponents but with Ortega that will not be the case. Another reason being that Ortega’s phenomenal jiu jitsu will be something that Holloway must avoid if he wants to win, and Ortega must be weary of Holloway’s relentless pace and find ways to create space while simultaneously trying to get it to the ground, which would be his ideal situation.
Max Holloway and Brian Ortega will be the co-main event on UFC 226, Sat, July 7, at the T-Mobile Arena.
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