Brian Ortega at UFC 231 – Dec. 8, 2018
Holloway demolished Aldo in a rematch at UFC 218 to cement his status as the man to beat at the top of the featherweight division, and his next test saw him take on undefeated challenger Brian Ortega at UFC 231.
Many expected a closely-contested encounter, but Holloway hit peak form to utterly dominate the fight from start to finish as he boxed Ortega to a standstill in a blistering display of controlled MMA striking.
Despite Holloway operating on a completely different plain to the unbeaten Ortega, the challenger’s sheer toughness kept him in the fight until the cageside physicians mercifully intervened after the fourth round to end the fight and spare Ortega further punishment.
It was the most complete display of Holloway’s UFC career, and prompted suggestions that the Hawaiian had surpassed Aldo to become the greatest featherweight champion in UFC history.
However, Holloway’s run at the top ended a year later at the hands of Alexander Volkanovski, who outpointed him at UFC 245 last December.
Now Holloway will get the chance to avenge that defeat when he takes on Volkanovski in a featherweight title rematch at UFC 251 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday night.
Watch Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega on UFC Fight Pass
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