Brian Ortega Doubles Down on Decision to Wait for a Healthy Max Holloway

It is what it is. We’ll run this shit later. pic.twitter.com/Ua1q4k4okR

— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) July 5, 2018

At UFC 226, an intriguing title fight was scheduled to take place in the featherweight division between the champion Max Holloway and his challenger, Brian Ortega.

Holloway was forced to pull out of the fight with “concussion-like symptoms,” possibly brought on by another brutal weight cut which may have resulted in water poisoning as Holloway was trying to lose weight to hit his 145-pound goal.

Holloway’s withdrawal meant Ortega didn’t get to fight despite being offered a last minute bout with the heavy-hitting Jeremy Stephens. Ortega declined the proposal and instead signalled he desire for Holloway to get healthy again.

The match is reportedly in the works for UFC 231 and “T-City,” who recently spoke with reporters said that his decision to wait for Holloway has paid off (via MMAJunkie.com):

“Now the world sees why I didn’t take the fight with Jeremy Stephens. I’m not trying to down him or nothing. I’m going to stay humble and keep it classy. But that’s the reason; I just didn’t want to fight backwards. It wasn’t the fact that I was afraid. The real fans that understand and appreciate the game, it’s OK, but I’m sorry. We’re going to be patient, but now look. We’re going to give you guys the show that you deserve in December.”

Ortega shocked fans in March this year by knocking out former featherweight champion Frankie Edgar to earn his shot at the title and improve his professional record to 14 wins with no losses.

Holloway has not fought since defending his belt back in December 2017 when he defeated Jose Aldo in a title rematch. Since that fight he has pulled out of three consecutive fights against Frankie Edgar, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Ortega.