Brian Ortega Says UFC Has a Backup Opponent Ready For Him at UFC 231

Brian Ortega knows that he’s fighting at UFC 231, even if it’s not Max Holloway. Ortega told reporters (per MMAjunkie) backstage at UFC 229 that the UFC has a backup ready in case Holloway cannot compete.

“They say they have a replacement,” Ortega said. “They haven’t said the name. I don’t know who it is. I don’t care. If it’s for the real featherweight title, count on me being there.”

Ortega was previously set to face Holloway at UFC 226, but that fight was scratched at the last minute because Holloway couldn’t get cleared due to concussion-like symptoms. Ortega chose to wait to face Holloway at a later date.

“He’s been having a lot of issues,” Ortega said. “There was the Frankie Edgar fight where I stepped in to save that card (at UFC 222). There was the Khabib (Nurmagomedov) incident in New York (at UFC 223), where I offered to step in as well and (UFC President) Dana (White) said yes. Then he stepped in, and he couldn’t make that happen. Then there was ours at UFC 226, and he had to pull out again. I don’t know what’s going on with his health right now, or what’s happening with his camp. But now, I don’t care. Because it’s going to happen with or without him. I get what I want, which is a title shot.”