Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega title fight agreed to for UFC 231 in Toronto

[nuraknu]

After a health scare, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is expected to return to the octagon in December to defend his title against No. 1 contender Brian Ortega.

Holloway (19-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and Ortega (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) have verbally agreed to meet at UFC 231, which will take place Dec. 8 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Although bout agreements have not been signed, the matchup is expected to be finalized shortly for the pay-per-view card, which will likely follow prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Two people with knowledge of the development told MMAjunkie of the impending booking. They requested anonymity because the UFC has not publicly announced the matchup.

Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega title fight agreed to for UFC 231 in Toronto

 

[nuraknu]

I am concerned this might be too soon for Max to cut weight and fight, but I am also excited.

 

[Robbie Hart]

Either decision for max or finish by Ortega

 

[nuraknu]

Either decision for max or finish by Ortega

Idk. At some point all the damage Ortega takes is going to catch up to him, a la Justin Gaethje imo. The question is just, is that the day?

 

[Robbie Hart]

Idk. At some point all the damage Ortega takes is going to catch up to him, a la Justin Gaethje imo. The question is just, is that the day?

We’ll see.......

 

[FrankieNYC]

I wonder if this means they are not as sure that GSP will fight that night?
If so, holding this until 232 to co-headline with Cyborg/Nunes would seem to make most sense

 

[RaginCajun]

So was this bs?...
Max may have had stroke during cut

 

[nuraknu]

So was this bs?...
Max may have had stroke during cut

Yeah I think it turned out to just be something Schaub made up or something.

Dana White gives promising update on Max Holloway's health, has no plans for interim title

 

[Wild]

I got Ortega in this one. Super hyped this fight...it's going to be awesome.

 

[Robbie Hart]

I got Ortega in this one. Super hyped this fight...it's going to be awesome.

Double check whether it’s happening

 

[Filthy]

So was this bs?...
Max may have had stroke during cut

yeah - according to Max's camp, that was internet rumor BS.

 

[La Paix]

Idk. At some point all the damage Ortega takes is going to catch up to him, a la Justin Gaethje imo. The question is just, is that the day?

I don't recall Ortega taking consistent damage near Justin's level, am I remembering wrong?

 

[nuraknu]

I don't recall Ortega taking consistent damage near Justin's level, am I remembering wrong?

Not quite as much, I was just making a comparison because that method of taking a lot of punches to the head to end up getting the win is not sustainable, I don't think. I think they said that can be worse for CTE than actually getting knocked out sometimes.

I think it will catch up to him at some point. I know a lot of fighters with good chins consider their chin its own defense, but it makes me uncomfortable anyway.

 

[kneeblock]

Hoping both guys make weight safely. Should be a great fight.

 

[jasonhightower]

Two great fighters, but I'm taking Ortega in this one. Love everything about this kid.