Reigning UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is in line to defend his title opposite Brian Ortega at UFC 231 on Dec. 8 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, per a recent report by MMAjunkie.
While neither side has yet to sign an official bout agreement, sources close to the situation say Holloway and Ortega have each verbally agreed to the title fight. Remember, the two were expected to meet at UFC 226 last month before “Blessed” was removed due to concussion-like symptoms.
Holloway, 26, has racked off back-to-back title wins over former UFC featherweight king Jose Aldo. In total, the Hawaiian has won 12-straight fights inside of the Octagon dating back to 2014. His UFC 226 pullout was a scary one to say the least, but the promotion waited like it said it would and Holloway will get the opportunity to defend his 145-pound throne in his return.
Ortega, 27, remains undefeated in his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career and has won six straight in the UFC’s stacked featherweight division. While “T-City” has finished each and every one of his UFC victories, his most impressive stoppage came in the form of a one-punch knockout over Frankie Edgar this past March. Few fighters have the combined striking and grappling skills that Ortega does so he should serve as a stiff test for the reigning champ.
Let’s just hope these two featherweights actually lock horns in December.
For more UFC 231 fight card news click here.