Holloway Defeats Ortega to Retain UFC Featherweight Title

Max Holloway already made a name for himself in the sport of mixed martial arts. After scoring a decisive victory over Brian Ortega at UFC 231, Holloway further established his reputation. He retained his featherweight title and did so in an impressive manner. The bout did not end with a spectacular first-round knockout. Ortega lasted until the fourth round. A TKO stoppage sent the fight into the history books. Ortega tried, but wasn’t a match for the phenom known as Max Holloway.

Holloway looked strong throughout the bout. Although Holloway boasts an impressive 20 – 3 record, his dominant win came as a bit of a surprise. The fighter had not set foot in the Octagon for about one year. Normally, such a long layoff leads to ring rust and a loss of timing. Maybe the fact the fight went four rounds shows Holloway was a little bit off. Regardless, he won the contest and solidified his position as the top featherweight in the world.

The title fight’s conclusion was a violent one. Ortega suffered a cut above his eye. The eyebrow region remains susceptible to cuts. With the light MMA gloves, a cut can open without warning. The damage from Holloway’s punches led to Ortega bleeding with blood running into his eyes. The fight wouldn’t continue for long with that type of bleeding.

The ring doctor stepped in and ordered the fight halted. Max Holloway achieved his TKO victory.

Where Holloway goes from here isn’t certain. The UFC has yet to announce a new challenger. Look for the fight organization to do so soon. Conor McGregor had a few words for Holloway. Essentially, McGregor noted Holloway must go a long way before claiming superstar fighter status. McGregor may be correct, but his opinion matters naught. The bottom line is Holloway retained his title and is the UFC’s champion.