Brian Ortega earned a crack at UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway last weekend when he finished Frankie Edgar via knockout in the co-main event of UFC 222.
Holloway (19-3) has won 12 consecutive fights inside the UFC’s Octagon, including three dominant performances to first win the interim 145-pound belt against Anthony Pettis, then unify and defend the belt against Jose Aldo. The last man to defeat him was Conor McGregor in 2013.
Ortega (14-0, 1 no contest) is yet to be defeated and has now picked up consecutive stoppage victories over top five opponents. He has finished all seven of his opponents in the UFC despite facing stiffer competition each time out. The only blemish on his record is a positive drug test for Drostanolone following his UFC debut, which kept him out of competition for nearly a year.
MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas’ betting line for the upcoming bout was released via ESPN earlier today.
Here’s what Kalikas had to say about the contest:
“In Brian Ortega, Max Holloway will be facing a youthful contender on the rise as opposed to an experienced veteran. Ortega is undefeated, getting better every time you see him and rises to his competition level. Even though Ortega’s striking has improved, Holloway will still have the striking edge on the feet as he’s more technical, more capable and more consistent. Ortega has more one-punch power, but Holloway’s accumulation striking is devastating, finishing opponents in the third round repeatedly. Ortega will likely want to get this fight to the floor due to his elite submission skills. Holloway is respectable on the ground, but he will want to keep this fight upright. Holloway picks his opponents apart and breaks them down piece by piece, and he’s been dominant on his 12-fight win streak in the UFC featherweight division. I think the public will back the champion here so I’m opening Holloway as a -170 betting favorite with the comeback on Ortega at +140.” The bout is currently available to bet on via Several Bookmakers. ——————————————————-
UFC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Brian Ortega +140
Max Holloway -170
