Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez’s much-anticipated fight ends in disappointment as Ortega pops his shoulder in Round 1
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The heavily anticipated bout ended in disappointment
Longtime friends Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez will headline the main card at UFC Long Island. Both fighters are standing in arms reach of the title and now that Max Holloway and Alex Volkanovski have finally settled their trilogy now is as good a time as any to lay their claim to a title shot.
Both Yair and Brian are coming off losses to the aforementioned men respectively. Ortega took the fight to Volkanovski when they faced off in their main event at UFC 266. Though he managed to lock up three submissions on the champ, the Aussie proved to be too resilient and defeated Ortega via a unanimous decision. Yair similarly lost to Max Holloway however unlike most Holloway opponents not named Volkanovski, Yair actually managed to put up a fight and wasn’t completely outclassed by Holloway.
While both men had stated that they do not wish to face each other in the octagon due to their longstanding friendship, with a title shot being all but certain with a win, none can afford to miss out on the opportunity.
Yair Rodriguez defeats Brian Ortega via TKO as the BJJ maestro pops his shoulder
Round 1
Yair lands the first strike with a straight right. He follows it up with a high kick that partially lands, Both fighters pick up the pace and exchange combos with Yair marginally finding more success. Yair instigates a clinch but ends up getting reversed against the cage by Ortega who stays in the clinch. Ortega tries to unsuccessfully trip down Yair. Both fighters stay in the clinch against the cage . Ortega trips and causes a break at the 1;30 mark.
Yair manages to slip through a strong jab and tries to follow it up with a swinging right. Ortega ducks under and manages to take him down, however, Yair tries to lock up an armbar. Ortega in the process of slipping out, causes his shoulder to pop out. The ref steps in and the fight is stopped.
Official Decision: Yair Rodriguez defeats Brian Ortega via TKO in Round 1
Also Read: “You hit depression” – Ortega talks about recovering from two title fight defeats
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Jerin Mathew
(713 Articles Published)