UFC 226 has lost one of its most anticipated fights, as Max Holloway will not be able to make it to the Octagon after suffering from concussion-like symptoms.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani first reported the big blow to UFC 226. Raphael Marinho of Combate added that featherweight champion Max Holloway will not be replaced, and Brian Ortega is off the card as well.
It’s been a rough 2018 for Max Holloway. He’s been scheduled to fight on three separate occassions, and has yet to step into the Octagon. First, he was scheduled to defend his belt against Frankie Edgar in March, but suffered a leg injury and pulled out of the bout. The Hawaiian attempted to make a quick turnaround and fight Khabib Nurmagomedov on a week’s notice in April, but was unable to make the 155-pound limit by fight night. Now concussion-like symptoms have forced him out of the co-main event of UFC 226.
When Holloway does fight, he’s phenomenal. The 26-year-old has won 12 fights in a row including two victories over arguably the greatest featherweight of all time in Jose Aldo. Holloway holds the UFC’s 145-pound record for career knockout victories, and currently has the most wins in the Octagon in the division.
Brian Ortega’s life changed after stepping up to replace Holloway at UFC 222. The jiu-jitsu expert showcased another side of his game, knocking out Frankie Edgar with a beautiful uppercut, solidifying himself as the top featherweight contender. The California native is undefeated in his mixed martial arts career and has finished all eight opponents he has met in the Octagon.
UFC 226 is still a stacked card, and it takes place on Saturday from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier square off in a champion vs. champion superfight in the main event, while heavy-handed heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou will battle on the main card.
