The UFC 266 fight card will feature two title fights as Alexander Volkanovski will fight Brian Ortega and Valentina Shevchenko will fight Lauren Murphy as the main and co-main event respectively.
UFC 266 on September 25 has officially added a pair of title fights as reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will look to defend his title against Brian Ortega and flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will face Lauren Murphy. ESPN was first to report the news.
Two title fights set for UFC 266, per Dana White (@danawhite). Alexander Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) vs. Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) and Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) vs. Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA). Plus, of course, Diaz/Lawler 2. https://t.co/4Ac6a9YMtw
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 14, 2021
Recently, reports came out that the fight between light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira had been pushed back to UFC 267 on October 30 which left the UFC 266 card without a main event. Earlier this week, a special five-round rematch between former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz and former UFC champion Robbie Lawler was reported for the undercard.
Volkanovski (22-1) is looking to extend his 19 fight win-streak that goes back to 2013. “The Great” has won nine fights in the UFC and is coming off back-to-back victories over longtime champion Max Holloway. Top contender Brian Ortega (15-1, 1NC) will be taking his second shot at UFC gold after previously going 13-0 before losing to Holloway in his first attempt. After several injuries kept him out of action for nearly two years, Ortega bounced back with a win over Chan Sung Jung last November. The two were previously set to fight in March before a positive test for COVID-19 forced Volkanovski out of the contest. The two can currently be seen coaching The Ultimate Fighter where Ortega’s team is currently ahead 4-2 overall in fights won.
Shevchenko (21-3) will be looking for her sixth title defense since winning the title in 2018. After previously posting an impressive run at bantamweight, Shevchenko dropped down to flyweight where she has been dominant to the point of being considered one of the most talented fighters in the entire sport. Challenger Murphy (15-4) will enter the bout on a five fight win-streak, and most recently defeated Joanne Calderwood in June.
The event is scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The current UFC 266 card is as follows:
- Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega
- Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy
- Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler
- Jessica Andrade vs. Cynthia Calvillo
- Uros Medic vs. Jalin Turner
- Merab Dvalishvili vs. Marlon Moraes
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
- Roxanne Modafferi vs. Tatiana Suarez
- Manon Fiorot vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
