Throughout the buildup to the much-anticipated Featherweight title fight between division king Max Holloway and No. 1 contender, Brian Ortega, both men have been very respectful of one another. That same respect was on full display earlier today (Dec. 5, 2018) during the UFC 231 pre-fight press conference.
See the full video replay here.
Still, Max couldn’t help but to feel most of the hype around the fight has to do much more with Ortega’s undefeated mark and rise in the division instead of his own dominance through the 145-pound weight class. That’s why “Blessed” took the opportunity to remind “T-City” that while he is good, everything he’s done up to this point, he has already done it better.
“He’s good, he’s a dangerous man, but, everybody keep talking about Brian and this and that, everything the guy did, I did better. He’s on a what, six-fight win streak, I got 12. He beat a champion, I beat two. And I beat one of them twice,” said Max.
“So at the end of the day, the ‘Blessed’ express is going around in a circle. We are lapping you, bro. And I am younger, so, congratulations.”
In rebuttal, Ortega went with the “sometimes no response is the best response” approach, meaning he’ll just let his fists do the talking come Saturday night.
For Holloway, a win over Ortega will give him his thirteenth win a row and second title defense since winning the belt last year. Plus, a dazzling performance could put to rest any talk that his health isn’t up to par at the moment to be competing following a health scare earlier this year.
Regardless of who comes out on top Saturday night, fight fans should be in for a treat as the fight features two of the best 145-pound fighters in the world who are fighting at just the right time in their respective careers.
See the finalized UFC 231 fight card and line up here.
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