UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will put his 145-pound title on the line against Brian Ortega at UFC 231 in December. Holloway and Ortega were initially scheduled to fight in the co-main event of UFC 226 in July before the champion was forced out of the bout just days before the fight.
However, this time Max Holloway has to fight in the octagon or else the Hawaiian will be stripped of his featherweight title.
Brian Ortega announced the news in a recent interview with MMAJunkie Radio:
“I’m laser-focused on the belt at this point,” Ortega told MMAjunkie Radio. “Now, with this fight happening, we have it where if Max shows up or doesn’t show up, I’m going to have a fight for the featherweight (title) no matter what.”
The California native continued:
“This is the first time I’m letting it out right now,” he said. “Yeah, it’s in the contract. Everything is done. I will fight for the featherweight belt with or without him.
“There’s no more of me letting the fans down. If he pulls out on one days’ notice, three hours’ notice, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to show up and it’s going to be for the featherweight belt and it’s going to be main event. Dec. 8, that’s the goal. UFC 231. Toronto.”
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