“Doesn’t seem like same Volk…” Brian Ortega, who ALMOST finished Alexander Volkanovski claims former champ was not 100% against Ilia Topuria
Having lost to him before, Brian Ortega reserves judgement but thinks Alexander Volkanovski wasn't firing on all cylinders at UFC 298.
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Brian Ortega thinks Alexander Volkanovski wasn't fighting at his fullest (Source: Instagram)
Yair Rodriguez and Brian Ortega will fight in the co-main event of UFC Mexico. Their last fight got spoiled after Ortega popped his shoulder in Round 1. Now, speaking at the official Media Day scrum assembled, he weighed in on the state of the division and Alexander Volkanovski.
At 26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC, Volkanovski lost his title gold in his sixth defense against Ilia Topuria, subjected to a sensational knockout. The Spaniard connected a big powerful left that took Volk out. Speaking of the second-round knockout, this is what Ortega said:
For Volk, I’m trying to look at it from both perspectives. Either Topuria’s game plan was really good, staying calm, moving back, throwing power punches, and then Volk — to me — it didn’t seem like it was the same Volk. Then seeing him and being in front of him, I’m like, man, you’re moving different...Brian Ortega via UFC Mexico media scrum
Ortega challenged Volkanovski for the featherweight title at UFC 266 in 2021. He lost the bout via decision. While he had no intention of demeaning the former champ, he thought Volkanovski wasn’t at his best. Despite play-by-play coverage sensation Laura Sanko prompting Volk as the greatest featherweight of all time despite title loss, others disagree too. Many think Volkanovski was holding back.
This included the likes of TJ Dillashaw, Demetrious Johnson, and others who lauded Topuria’s superiority in the matter. For Ortega, Topuria’s win doesn’t guarantee anything substantial for him. Even before his win, ‘El Matador‘ had snubbed him, Max Holloway, and Yair Rodriguez out of the title contention scene.
Brian Ortega isn’t too bothered by Ilia Topuria’s dismissal
The featherweight division saw a change in guard recently. With an undefeated record, Ilia Topuria won big against former champ Alexander Volknavoski at UFC 298. Subjecting the Aussie to a huge left hand, Topuria thus became the only UFC Spaniard titleholder. Consequently, he had no plan of conceding to anyone.
Even before defeating Alexander Volkanovski, the ‘cocky’ challenger had dismissed other peers from the title picture should he win. This included Brian Ortega. Leading up to that, Ortega and his sons’ thrilling anime-esque 3 vs 1 face-off against rival Rodriguez went viral. But what’s bound to turn more heads was his take on Volkanovski and Topuria’s disregard for him. Speaking at the UFC Mexico City Media Day, this is what he said:
Props to Ilia. He won. That was an impressive, very, very devastating KO that he got... [On a possible face-off with Topuria] My answer is always, ‘We’ll see'...Brian Ortega via UFC Mexico media day
Ortega will have to take care of his own before he starts thinking about Topuria or contending for the gold. This weekend, he faces Yair Rodriguez in the co-main event at UFC Mexico City. However, after such a long lay-off, he is ready for all and sundry—even Ilia Topuria.
In case you missed it:
- “To me, he’s still a champ,” CM Punk defends UFC star Alexander Volkanovski despite DEVASTATING knockout loss
- Brian Ortega Net Worth, MMA Career, Income, Personal life, massive earnings, and more
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