Brian Ortega Reveals Injuries Suffered In Loss to Max Holloway in First Post Fight Statement
Brian Ortega may have lost the battle to Max Holloway last Saturday night at UFC 231 but he’s not giving up on the war.
The previously undefeated featherweight contender was stopped after the end of the fourth round by the ringside physicians primarily thanks to a busted up eye suffered during the fight with Holloway.
Ortega ended up being taken to a local hospital in Toronto for treatment so he didn’t make an appearance at the post fight press conference but he did release a statement on Instagram to update his condition afterwards.
“Doctor stopped it and I agree,” Ortega wrote. “Broken nose and a broken thumb. I was willing to die in there. Last night was Max’s night. I’ll be back. Thank you to everyone who’s always believed in me and supported me.”
While Ortega managed to stage a comeback in the third round — and that’s been somewhat common during his UFC career — he couldn’t withstand the incredible pressure that Holloway put on him over 20 minutes.
The reigning featherweight champion was relentless with his striking attacks during every round, but particularly when he went for the kill in the fourth after promising to stop the fight while still standing in his corner.
Ortega absorbed over 300 strikes during the fight — an all time UFC record — before he was finished after the fourth round.
Holloway got the job done to earn his second straight title defense while Ortega suffered the first defeat of his professional career.
On Monday, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport released the medical suspensions from UFC 231 and Ortega will need a doctor’s clearance or he could be forced sit out for the next six months.
