The highly anticipated showdown between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega is officially set for December 8, 2018, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The UFC featherweight champion, Holloway, will be defending his title against Ortega in this much-awaited bout announced by the UFC on Monday. This fight comes after Holloway received medical clearance following a health scare.
News of this matchup first surfaced in reports by MMAJunkie back in August when verbal agreements were made. The fight will be a pay-per-view event. Max Holloway claimed the UFC Featherweight championship by defeating former champion Jose Aldo in a title unification fight at UFC 212.
At UFC 218, Holloway was set to defend his title against Frankie Edgar, but Edgar withdrew from the fight at the last minute, leading to a rematch against Jose Aldo. The outcome mirrored that of UFC 212. Initially slated for July at UFC 226, the fight was canceled due to Holloway exhibiting concussion-like symptoms.
Holloway later stated that doctors could not pinpoint the exact cause of his symptoms, but he has since recovered. Ortega stepped in for Holloway at UFC 222, and his subsequent victory over Edgar earned him the No.1 contender spot. Holloway will make his return to the octagon after a year, ready to face Ortega in his title defense at UFC 231.
