When Frankie Edgar’s title fight against Max Holloway at UFC 222 fell through, he took a risk staying on the card against Brian Ortega. That risk backfired on Saturday night, when Ortega scored a massive knockout of the former UFC lightweight champion.
UFC 222 had been a mixed bag early in the night. A DQ finish in the Dollaway vs. Lombard fight. A snoozer between Andrei Arlovski and Stefan Struve. Then Andre Soukhamthath and Sean O’Malley turned up the heat. And following that pair, Brian Ortega and Frankie Edgar went into overdrive.
Yet few saw what would follow. Setting things up with a big elbow, Brian Ortega scored a crushing uppercut that dropped Frankie Edgar to the canvas. Follow up strikes were merely a formality. Edgar was out, knocked out for the first time in his long and storied career.
The reaction from fans and fellow professionals was immediate. Most were completely besides themselves, and you couldn’t really blame them. Everyone knew Ortega was a danger, especially after he finished off Cub Swanson late last year. Yet he was a submission specialist, not a knockout artist. It’s doubtful many picked Ortega to get the win on the feet.
Now, he has a date with Max Holloway, and the 145lb division was once again thrown on its head. Check out what the pros had to say about Ortega’s performance below! Even Conor McGregor had something to say…
😢😢😢😢😢
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) March 4, 2018
Can I be the mayor of t-city?! Jesus congrats Brian Ortega. #ufc222
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) March 4, 2018
Wow OMG knew it… @BrianTcity is REAL! #UFC222
— Jessica Jag Aguilar (@jagatt) March 4, 2018
Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! @BrianTcity you did it homie! Amazing stuff! Frankie always impressive man!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) March 4, 2018
@BrianTcity by knockout!!!! Holy moly my brother!!!! @ufc #UFC222
— Max Griffin (@maxPAINmma) March 4, 2018
Dam was not expecting that
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) March 4, 2018
Holy shit! @BrianTcity just showed how for real he is. Well done!
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) March 4, 2018
Wow. T-city 👏👀
— Kay Hansen (@KayHansenMMA) March 4, 2018
Wow!!! What a fight! Both guys are class acts. #ufc222
— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) March 4, 2018
Wow…. i don’t think anyone picked Ortega by tko! Earned that title shot #UFC222
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) March 4, 2018
Ortega’s composure might be more impressive than his finishing ability. Nobody finishes Edgar. Wow!
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) March 4, 2018
Patience from Ortega after he hurt Frankie to get the clean shot for the ko. Sad for Frankie, happy for Ortega. #ufc222
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) March 4, 2018
He really is. https://t.co/G1pIhD0nmx
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) March 4, 2018
Wooooooow! @BrianTcity first man to finish Frankie. Who ever does the UFC rankings stop the bullshit with Aldo #1 please. Thanks. #UFC222
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) March 4, 2018
I'm calling it now….. Ortega is the one to beat Holloway!!!! Fucking aye!!!! #ufc222 pic.twitter.com/NUue8Wd78l
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) March 4, 2018
WOW!!!!!! Made the most of the opportunity!! T-City with the KO! #UFC222
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) March 4, 2018
Good shit @BrianTcity
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) March 4, 2018
OMG!!! @BrianTcity with the TKO! Congratulations. Huge win! #newblood
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) March 4, 2018
Holy shit!!! He uppercut killed Frankie!!! First guy to ever finish Frankie. #ufc222 pic.twitter.com/f7rxHGKp0d
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) March 4, 2018
Frankie's career deserved for that to be against me tonight.
Respect Frankie.
Love and respect always!
A true fighters fighter ❤— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 4, 2018
