Brian Ortega Hopes to Defy Critics by Finishing Frankie Edgar at UFC 222

In his 28 professional fights (22-5, 1 NC), Frankie Edgar has never been finished. He’s never been knocked out, he’s never been submitted. He’s been rocked a few times, especially in his wars with Gray Maynard, but he’s always managed to survive these close calls one way or the other.

This is music to the ears of Brian Ortega, the man Edgar will face this weekend.

The Mexican-American fighter takes on the former champion Edgar in the featherweight co-main event of UFC 222 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Ortega is a known finisher, including seven submissions and two knockouts in his 13 wins.

Ortega is confident in beating Edgar, but finishing a man who has never been finished would be the icing on the cake (courtesy of MMA Fighting).

“That’s the best part,” Ortega told MMAFighting.com. “This is a great challenge because it puts that extra edge on me. Because you know what? This is a guy that’s never been finished.”

Ortega has been made aware by fans of Edgar through social media that he has no chance of finishing the former champion, which gives him extra motivation.

“I’m the kind of guy who if you tell me you can’t do something, like, ‘Brian, you can’t do a backflip off that two-floor building’ and I’m going to give it a shot,” said Ortega. “That’s the way I’ve been ever since I was a kid. So if you say ‘hey man, this guy’s never been finished,’ and everyone told me ‘You can’t finish Frankie Edgar, you can’t do this,’ for me it’s like let’s go for it. Let’s see if we can do it.”

Ortega sometimes needs a reality check when he realizes the stars he’s sharing the Octagon with, especially after experiencing it in previous bouts with Clay Guida and Cub Swanson.

“I’m happy that now in my career I am sharing the Octagon with guys like [Edgar],” Ortega said. “Big names. I got to share the Octagon with Clay Guida. I got to share the Octagon with Cub Swanson. Now I’m going to share the Octagon with Frankie Edgar. These are things that as a fighter you always dream of. You dream of fighting the guys that you watched growing up now I’m doing it. Not just on one guy, but those three guys in a row who have huge names and have done a lot great things in this sport, especially Frankie as a legend.

“Frankie was a guy who I’ve seen him, I’ve looked at his fights growing up, I wouldn’t say I was a fan fan, but for sure I was like ‘yo, that guy’s tough, he’s the champ, he’s fighting the best of the best,’” when I was in high school. You know? And now I’m growing and I’m going to fight Frankie Edgar. That’s going to happen on Saturday. That in and of itself is an achievement.”

Edgar, who was initially scheduled to face Max Holloway for the featherweight title, decided to stay on the card after Holloway’s injury and face the No. 3-ranked contender, which earned Ortega’s respect.

“I love the fact that he’s a down guy to fight no matter what,” Ortega said. “The change of opponent and everything, he’s still in there. I’m grateful.”