Brian Ortega’s first try vs. Yair Rodriguez resulted in an damage and a loss. The second try began with an damage and resulted in victory.
In a rollercoaster 15-minute stretch, Ortega (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) overcame an ankle damage and an onslaught of hanging to defeat Rodriguez (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) by arm-triangle choke on the 0:58 mark of Spherical 3.
WELCOME BACK BRIAN ORTEGA 🤯@BrianTCity submits Rodriguez for a HUGE victory at #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/fn2yVkU5V8
— UFC (@ufc) February 25, 2024
Ortega was tagged quite a few occasions within the opening body by Rodriguez, because the MMA world watched and questioned what went improper along with his leg throughout Bruce Buffer’s introduction. Ortega appeared to tweak one thing, and briefly hopped round round on one leg, however later revealed he twisted his ankle.
Impaired or not, Ortega managed place in Spherical 2 earlier than the submission got here in Spherical 3. He ended Spherical 2 in mount and drowned Rodriguez extra in Spherical 3. Ortega locked within the choke, bought the faucet, and picked up his first win since October 2020.
The discharge of the submission post-tap was a bit delayed, and bought the eye of referee Marc Goddard who gave an apologetic Ortega an earful upon the combat’s conclusion.
