Brian Ortega picked up the largest win of his profession this previous weekend at UFC Mexico Metropolis when he submitted Yair Rodriguez within the third spherical of their co-main occasion. The combat was a rematch of their 2022 bout the place Ortega suffered an harm inflicting a untimely stoppage to the bout. The 2 males had been pleasant previous to the combat, which scheduled for 5 rounds had large ramifications within the featherweight division, particularly with a brand new champion.
Pre-Combat & First Spherical Nightmare for T-Metropolis
Forward of the combat, throughout the introductions Brian Ortega was psyching himself up by leaping up and down and seemingly landed awkwardly on his ankle. His ankle buckled and it was seemingly inflicting him points. He was shaking it out, talked about one thing to his crew and even talked about it after the combat itself. The published confirmed the ankle roll, which was a direct speaking level within the combat. We’re fortunate that it didn’t trigger a difficulty, particularly as we’d already had a combat cancelled on combat evening.
Brian Ortega damage his ankle throughout his heat up 😳😳😳#UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/sMlWzeBF6R
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) February 25, 2024
After a wierd begin to proceedings, Ortega carried out as if he’d solely had 4:11 of octagon time since September 2021. He was gradual to react to El Pantera‘s assaults, which had been very boxing heavy to begin off with. In fact, he combined in together with his signature fast kicks, nevertheless, overwhelmed Ortega with quantity greater than energy pictures. With that being mentioned, he knocked T-Metropolis down and regarded to complete issues early, however in basic Ortega trend, he weathered the storm, didn’t permit the Mexican to interrupt his will and rallied.
In direction of the tip of the primary, Ortega landed a takedown and regardless of struggling with a busted nostril and swollen eye, he was capable of largely management Rodriguez on the bottom in high place.
Spherical Two Takeover, Spherical Three End
Having had successes on the finish of the primary spherical, Ortega knew what he wanted to do within the second spherical and never solely did that, however dominated. He closed the gap faster, limiting the kicking sport of Rodriguez.
Touchdown an attractive takedown, Ortega grounded Rodriguez with time to work. He prioritised floor and pound over a submission, touchdown 39 of 70 strikes. He bust the Mexican open and greater than something, he knew what he needed to do to win the bout.
The momentum was very a lot in favour of the American and he started the third spherical with an identical depth that he completed the second spherical with. He was straight on the entrance foot (sure the ankle that he had seemingly injured pre-fight, which now appeared like a lifetime in the past). It was an identical takedown to the one which he landed within the second spherical which noticed him floor his opponent once more within the third, nevertheless, he rushed right into a extra dominant place this time, locking in an arm-triangle choke and getting the faucet. It marked Ortega’s first submission victory since 2017.
What’s subsequent for T-Metropolis?
With this win, Ortega places a number of the doubters to mattress. Many questioned if he nonetheless had the need after such a very long time out of the octagon. In Mexico, he confirmed simply how expert he’s, that he nonetheless has that ‘canine’ in him and that he can nonetheless be a participant at 145lbs.
There are two choices for Ortega subsequent and he advantages from a reasonably shallow featherweight division. He might realise a title shot as there isn’t a transparent #1 contender and the UFC have beforehand given him a number of title pictures. He’s a persona within the sport in addition to clearly having the expertise to compete on the high degree.
With that being mentioned, he’s doubtless going to want another win to cement himself on the true #1 contender. Logically, it will be Movsar Evloev who would meet Ortega. The Russian is having fun with an eight combat successful run and is undefeated all through his complete profession. Evloev blasted Ortega on X (previously Twitter) just lately so the rivalry might make for fascinating viewing throughout the construct up.
