Alexander Volkanovski-Brian Ortega Title Fight Postponed, Removed from UFC 260 Lineup

The featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega scheduled for #UFC260 has been postponed.

Volkanovski was forced from the fight due to COVID-19 protocols, per tonight's broadcast. pic.twitter.com/JOvtIbZTFX

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 21, 2021

UFC 260 is a championship doubleheader no more.

The promotion announced during Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 21 broadcast that COVID-19 protocols have resulted in the postponement of the featherweight championship clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. The matchup is expected to be rescheduled for a future UFC card.

Volkanovski released a statement on Twitter shortly after the postponement announcement:

pic.twitter.com/TFFvTXe08U

— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) March 21, 2021

UFC 260 takes place on March 27 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is headlined by a heavyweight championship rematch between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou. The card is also expected to feature a welterweight showdown pitting Tyron Woodley against Vicente Luque.

Volkanovski last appeared at UFC 251, where he took a controversial split-decision triumph against Max Holloway in a title rematch this past June. The City Kickboxing product has won 19 straight bouts and is 9-0 in UFC competition.

Ortega, meanwhile, returned after a nearly two-year hiatus at UFC Fight Night 180, where he took a five-round verdict over Chan Sung Jung. Prior to that, “T-City” suffered his only pro defeat in a fourth-round doctor stoppage loss to Holloway at UFC 231 in December 2018.

Note: This item was updated at approximately 11:03 p.m. ET to include a statement from Volkanovski.