Undefeated UFC featherweight Brian Ortega was initially set to face off against reigning champion Max Holloway in the co-main event of UFC 226 for International Fight Week. However, Holloway was pulled from the fight after suffering concussion-like symptoms.
Rather than accept a short notice opponent, Brian Ortega decided to not compete on the fight card in order to wait out for a hopeful title fight with Holloway in the near future. Ortega initially revealed that UFC President Dana White was “pissed off” during their negotiations about the matter, as White wanted Ortega to compete on the card.
However, speaking AXS TV’s LFA 45 broadcast, Brian Ortega has revealed that he was compensated by the UFC’s head for his efforts.
“I’m feeling a lot better now. The heartbreak was a little bit real at first, but then once I started to realize the bigger picture and everything – and I had to put my ego aside and put my thinking cap on in terms of businesswise – we made the right decision. I talked to Dana just the other day, and everything is good between me and him. He compensated me – we reached an agreement.”
“Any fight for the title – that’s it. That’s all I’m looking at. I’m just looking at that gold, that belt. For me, it doesn’t matter the opponent.”
