Brian Ortega is expecting nothing less than a spectacular fight against Max Holloway, should it push through for UFC 231 in December.
A couple of days ago, it was reported that the awaited featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega has been rescheduled for UFC 231 this December. Both parties have supposedly agreed, but have not signed on the dotted line just yet.
During a backstage interview with MMAjunkie over the weekend, the undefeated Ortega confirmed these reports, but reiterated that nothing has been made official.
“Nothing is official. Trust me, I’m always the kind of guy, until I sign the contract I’m the first one to post it out there,” Ortega said (transcript via MMA Fighting).
“But there’s ears in the game who hear things and yeah, it’s true. We got the call and they offered us to fight in December. I said yes. I think they’re pushing for Toronto, so December is up in the air and I’m sure Max received the same call. I haven’t heard anything from his side yet, but it looks like it’s going to happen.”
While Ortega has not tasted defeat his entire professional career, Holloway himself has also been on a winning streak that has been running for four consecutive years now. Both men also hold notable victories against elite veterans such as Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar.
Given their résumés alone, Ortega is expecting for their fight to be the strong statement to close out the year.
“‘Fight of the Year’, to top the year off,” he said. “You have two guys — I’ve said this before, I’m a fan of him as well, I’m a fan of the sport. This is the fight. He fought Aldo, I fought Frankie, we fought two veterans, right? And now we have two hungry guys who are young at the top of the game.”
“One has the belt, and one’s undefeated and trying to take that from him, who’s been finishing everyone. I’m not trying to get a decision so I don’t have to say much.”
UFC 231 is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada on December 8th. No headliner has been determined yet, but according to UFC president Dana White, having Georges St-Pierre on the card “makes sense.”