Brian Ortega Knocks Out Frankie Edgar In Stunning Performance at UFC 222
Brian Ortega is ready for his title shot.
The undefeated submission specialist was already knocking on the door of title contention after choking out Cub Swanson in Dec. 2017.
Ortega then secured his spot with a stunning first round knockout over Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 on Saturday night. As if the win wasn’t enough, Ortega is also the first fighter in history to finish Edgar during his legendary UFC career.
While Ortega got the win, Edgar set the pace early with a ton of forward pressure, throwing combinations time after time and doing his best to back up his opponent.
Using his footwork throughout the opening round, Edgar was on his bike as he kept in pursuit of Ortega, who finally started finding his rhythm with some solid counter shots.
It turns out that ended up as the difference in the fight as Edgar kept coming after Ortega, who finally saw an opening to unleash a short inside elbow that cracked the former lightweight champion and put him on wobbly legs.
OH MY LORD!!!!@BrianTCity becomes the FIRST MAN to finish Edgar!!!!! WOW!!!!! #UFC222 pic.twitter.com/el22yunJJg
— UFC (@ufc) March 4, 2018
While Edgar is known for his incredible durability, Ortega was going for the kill when he saw the New Jersey native on unstable ground.
Ortega then unleashed a nasty uppercut that floored Edgar before the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt followed him to the ground with a few more hammer fists as the referee rushed into stop the fight.
UN – BE – LIEV – ABLE#UFC222 @BrianTCity pic.twitter.com/xb3DaB7ssD
— UFC (@ufc) March 4, 2018
The end came at 4:44 into the opening round.
“It feels great. This is something I’ve always envisioned,” Ortega said about his knockout. “I’m making history. To share the Octagon with him is an honor. Frankie is a legend.”
The victory secures Ortega’s place at the No. 1 contender in the featherweight division with a showdown looming against champion Max Holloway later this year.
Holloway is still recovering from an ankle injury that prevented him from fighting at UFC 222 but he’ll be anxiously awaiting his chance to defend the title against Ortega in what has to be one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year.
