Annnnnnnd still!
UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway defended his UFC belt with an impressive TKO victory at UFC 231 in Toronto.
Max Holloway defeats Brian Ortega after four rounds via TKO retain the @ufc Featherweight Championship at #UFC231! pic.twitter.com/ZYkAoSncOB
β TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 9, 2018
At the order of the UFC's doctors, the fight was stopped due to Ortega being nearly sealed shut after taking multiple punches to the face. Prior to the start of the fourth round, Holloway essentially called his shot.
"I'm ending it now."@BlessedMMA #UFC231 pic.twitter.com/95DtsMYqkD
β UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2018
Here's how the MMA and sporting world reacted to the fight.
What a fightπ₯
β khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 9, 2018
Congratulations @BlessedMMA you are great champion. π
#UFC231 Brian Ortega left eye swollen badly, can't return on d ring of d sound of 5th round. Max Holloway is declared winner of Featherweight Div. pic.twitter.com/caAEivVTk7
β ShotgunBen (@shotgunben_) December 9, 2018
In the main event of UFC 231, Max Holloway defeated Brian Ortega by 4th-round TKO to retain the UFC Featherweight Title Fight.
β ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 9, 2018
Holloway has now won 13 straight fights, tied for the 2nd longest streak in UFC history. pic.twitter.com/LjmRmox9yZ
Max Holloway continues to add to an incredible legacy as the best 145lbs fighter in the world. Now unbeaten in 13 straight fights including wins over:
β Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) December 9, 2018
- Cub Swanson
- Charles Oliveira
- Jeremy Stephens
- Ricardo Lamas
- Anthony Pettis
- Jose Aldo (x2)
- Brian Ortega#UFC231
Max Holloway being the underdog to Brian Ortega should be remembered as one of the most hilarious betting lines in MMA history. Clear, and huge, skill discrepancy. #UFC231
β Rob Brown (@RobBrownBetting) December 9, 2018
β UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2018
Awesome fight.. Ortega is super tough but @BlessedMMA had an almost flawless performance tonight #ufc231
β Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) December 9, 2018
Anyone notice Ortega going over to mini blessed and fist bumping him as soon as Buffer announced the result? Ortega is such a good dude with incredible heart. Holloway is unbelievable. #UFC231
β Farah Hannoun (@Farah_Hannoun) December 9, 2018
In my opinion, that was one of the greatest striking clinics in UFC history. Up there with Dillashaw over Barao and Conor over Alvarez. Max Holloway is an all time great fighter. #UFC231
β Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) December 9, 2018
Holloway had every round won on the judgesβ scorecards going into the fifth. One judge gave him a 10-8 in one of those rounds. #UFC231 pic.twitter.com/1RApUaHyBP
β MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 9, 2018
Son of a bitch. Holloway vs Ortega. #ufc
β Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) December 9, 2018
Thank you
What a absolutely phenomenal fight!!!!
β Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) December 9, 2018
Ortega is one tough dude but Holloway, man, his fight IQ and movement is just on another level. ππ»ππ»ππ»
The fans won that fight..#UFC231 https://t.co/G4HZrwnc54
Max Holloway starts talking about pound for pound. Says if theyβve got 155 guys heβs down for that. Wants the fights that will make him P4P No. 1.
β Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 9, 2018
Max Holloway landed a UFC record 290 significant strikes. Felt like he had a lot more in the tank too.
β Eric Jackman (@NewYorkRic) December 9, 2018
Official: Max Hollowayβs 290 significant strikes landed at #UFC231 are a new single-fight UFC record. More figures to come.
β Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) December 9, 2018
Attendance: 19,039 *SOLD OUT* (UFCβs highest attendance at Scotiabank Arena/ACC in history)
β MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 9, 2018
Gate: $3,289,250 CAD | $2,481,552 USD
Fight of the Night: Holloway vs. Ortega
Performance of the Night: Holloway, Santos#UFC231
#kingblessed the man. Congrats my guy! #andstill what a performance my bratha! #itiswhatitis pic.twitter.com/NFf5IAopdf
β Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 9, 2018
Good fight congrats to @BlessedMMA π
β Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 9, 2018
What a fight
β Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) December 9, 2018
WHAT A PERFORMANCE FROM MAX HOLLOWAY WOWπ #UFC231 pic.twitter.com/QAaKB9Euao
β π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ (@MidfieldSpark) December 9, 2018
Holloway improved to 20-3-0 while Ortega fell to 14-1-0 with one no contest.