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Gets co-main event in February
Ortega will fight Yair Rodriguez in a five-round co-main event at UFC Mexico City on Feb. 24, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Ortega will get a rematch versus Rodriguez after the latter defeated him via TKO (injury) in July of 2022. Ortega sustained a shoulder injury in the loss and underwent surgery to repair the issue in early August of that year. The two will get to face off once again in a few months' time with Ortega looking to get his first win since October of 2020.
Ortega will get a rematch versus Rodriguez after the latter defeated him via TKO (injury) in July of 2022. Ortega sustained a shoulder injury in the loss and underwent surgery to repair the issue in early August of that year. The two will get to face off once again in a few months' time with Ortega looking to get his first win since October of 2020.
Undergoes shoulder surgery
Ortega underwent shoulder surgery in early August, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Ortega sustained a shoulder injury during his loss to Yair Rodriguez via TKO (injury) at UFC on ABC 3 in mid-July, and he ultimately elected to undergo a procedure a few weeks later. The 31-year-old underwent two shoulder surgeries earlier in his career, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to action following his most recent procedure.
Ortega sustained a shoulder injury during his loss to Yair Rodriguez via TKO (injury) at UFC on ABC 3 in mid-July, and he ultimately elected to undergo a procedure a few weeks later. The 31-year-old underwent two shoulder surgeries earlier in his career, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to action following his most recent procedure.
Injury leads to defeat
Ortega lost to Yair Rodriguez via TKO (injury) at 4:11 of Round 1 at UFC on ABC 3 on Saturday on Long Island.
ANALYSIS
It's a crushing turn of events for Ortega. Ortega had his struggles on the feet in the brief bout, but his grappling game seemed on point, and he spent a good portion of the fight controlling Rodriguez along the fence. Unfortunately, his shoulder appeared to pop out following an exchange on the mat and it was immediately clear he could no longer continue. Whether or not the UFC decides to re-book this fight is likely dependent on how serious Ortega's injury is. He said in his post-fight interview that he has already had two shoulder surgeries and now might need a third. That sounds ominous, but we'll wait for more information.
It's a crushing turn of events for Ortega. Ortega had his struggles on the feet in the brief bout, but his grappling game seemed on point, and he spent a good portion of the fight controlling Rodriguez along the fence. Unfortunately, his shoulder appeared to pop out following an exchange on the mat and it was immediately clear he could no longer continue. Whether or not the UFC decides to re-book this fight is likely dependent on how serious Ortega's injury is. He said in his post-fight interview that he has already had two shoulder surgeries and now might need a third. That sounds ominous, but we'll wait for more information.
Fighting at UFC Long Island
Ortega (face) will take on Yair Rodriguez at UFC Long Island on July 16, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
This bout was expected to happen at some point, but the date was unknown until now. Ortega came up just shy in his quest for the UFC Featherweight Championship last September against Alexander Volkanovski. It was just his second loss with the promotion with the other coming to Max Holloway, also in the Championship fight.
This bout was expected to happen at some point, but the date was unknown until now. Ortega came up just shy in his quest for the UFC Featherweight Championship last September against Alexander Volkanovski. It was just his second loss with the promotion with the other coming to Max Holloway, also in the Championship fight.
Possible matchup with Yair Rodriguez
Ortega (face) is being targeted for a featherweight matchup against Yair Rodriguez "in the future" according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.
ANALYSIS
Ortega finds himself at a bit of a crossroads in the division, as he's impressively handled most contenders that have been put in front of him, with the exception of the top-2 -- Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. In fact, Ortega is currently serving a six-month medical suspension due to facial injuries suffered in the Volkanovski fight last September in which he ate 214 significant strikes. That's nothing compared to the 290 significant strikes he ate from Holloway in just four rounds, and he'll now face another high-volume striker in Rodriguez, who averages 4.65 significant strikes landed per minute. On the bright side, Rodriguez defends takedowns at a very average 60 percent clip, so Ortega might have a better shot at working his grappling in this proposed matchup. That factor will be especially key given Ortega will be giving up three inches in height and two inches in reach.
Ortega finds himself at a bit of a crossroads in the division, as he's impressively handled most contenders that have been put in front of him, with the exception of the top-2 -- Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. In fact, Ortega is currently serving a six-month medical suspension due to facial injuries suffered in the Volkanovski fight last September in which he ate 214 significant strikes. That's nothing compared to the 290 significant strikes he ate from Holloway in just four rounds, and he'll now face another high-volume striker in Rodriguez, who averages 4.65 significant strikes landed per minute. On the bright side, Rodriguez defends takedowns at a very average 60 percent clip, so Ortega might have a better shot at working his grappling in this proposed matchup. That factor will be especially key given Ortega will be giving up three inches in height and two inches in reach.