The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was left in a tough spot over the weekend when Tony Ferguson backed out of the main event for the promotion’s fast approaching UFC 223 fight card. Now it has been confirmed that UFC President Dana White offered not only Max Holloway the replacement spot, but undefeated fighter Brian Ortega as well.
Tony Ferguson was initially set to face off against Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 223. On just six days notice, Ferguson was pulled from the match up after tearing his LCL.
UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway stepped up to the challenge and will now be moving up in weight to fight Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight title in the night’s main event. With that in mind, undefeated featherweight Brian Ortega has taken to social media to claim that he was first offered the fight by UFC President Dana White.
“For the record, Dana called me yesterday to see if I would step in against Khabib since Max hadn’t responded yet. I said yes. Eventually, Max replied and Dana gave him the fight. If all goes according to plan, I’ll get my turn – at both of them.”
For the record, Dana called me yesterday to see if I would step in against Khabib since Max hadn’t responded yet. I said yes. Eventually, Max replied and Dana gave him the fight. If all goes according to plan, I’ll get my turn – at both of them.
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) April 2, 2018
The undefeated fighter later took to Twitter once again to share a screen cap of his previous social media statement as posted over Instagram. Within the screen cap of the message, the message can be seen having been liked by UFC President Dana White. It would appear that Dana White did, in fact, have an offer for the undefeated fighter.
For those who say im lying, just going to leave this up here for you. Have a good day ?. New York see you this weekend! pic.twitter.com/mPIXYsQwOi
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) April 2, 2018
