Max Holloway vs Brian Ortega 2

Lore & Background

The fight between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega at UFC 231 was a defining moment in Holloway's featherweight reign. Holloway, defending his title for the second time, faced Ortega in Toronto on December 8, 2018. The bout was originally scheduled for UFC 226 on July 7, 2018, but Holloway was pulled from that card on July 4 due to 'concussion like symptoms'. When the fight finally happened, Holloway dominated with striking volume, setting UFC records for most significant strikes in a fight (290) and most significant strikes in a single round (134). The fight was stopped by the doctor at the end of the fourth round, giving Holloway a TKO victory. The win also earned Holloway his fifteenth victory in UFC featherweight history, a new record at the time.

In Their Own Story

The air in Scotiabank Arena hummed with anticipation as Max Holloway and Brian Ortega finally met on December 8, 2018. Holloway, who had been pulled from their original UFC 226 booking due to concussion-like symptoms, entered the cage with something to prove. From the opening bell, Holloway unleashed a relentless striking assault, landing combinations and body kicks that piled up round after round. By the fourth round, Ortega's face was swollen and bleeding, his corner pleading with the doctor to stop the fight. The doctor obliged at the end of the fourth, awarding Holloway a TKO victory. Holloway had landed 290 significant strikes—a UFC record—including 134 in a single round, another record. The crowd roared as Holloway raised his hands, having not only defended his belt but etched his name into the record books.

Reader's Guide

Max Holloway vs Brian Ortega for the UFC Featherweight Championship took place on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231 in Toronto, Canada. Holloway won by TKO at the end of the fourth round via doctor stoppage. The fight earned Holloway both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses. Holloway set UFC records for most significant strikes in a fight (290) and most significant strikes in a single round (134). He also set the record for most victories in UFC featherweight history with fifteen. The bout was originally scheduled for UFC 226 on July 7, 2018, but Holloway was pulled from that card due to concussion-like symptoms.

Did You Know?

• Holloway broke the UFC record for most significant strikes in a single fight with 290 against Ortega.
• Holloway also set the record for most significant strikes in a single round, landing 134 in the fourth round.
• The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 226 on July 7, 2018, but Holloway was pulled due to concussion-like symptoms.
• Holloway earned both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses for this fight.
• With this win, Holloway set the record for most victories in UFC featherweight history with fifteen.