Tonight’s UFC 266 event was headlined by a men’s featherweight title fight featuring Alex Volkanovski taking on challenger Brian Ortega.
Volkanovski (23-1 MMA) was competing for the first time since UFC 251 in July of 2020, where he had scored his second straight victory over Max Holloway. The Australian had gone a perfect 9-0 since joining the UFC ranks ahead of tonight’s affair.
As for Brian Ortega (15-2 MMA), ‘T-City’ was returning to action for the first time since October of 2020, where he had picked up a dominant unanimous decision victory over ‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung. That win was of course preceded by a TKO loss to Max Holloway at UFC 231.
Tonight’s UFC 266 main event proved to be a thrilling five-round affair. Alex Volkanovski was able to get the better of Brian Ortega in rounds one and two. However, in round three, ‘T-City’ stormed back and nearly finished the fight with a pair of submission attempts. ‘The Great’ would ultimately escape both of Ortega’s choke hold threats and went on to score a dominant decision victory.
Official UFC 266 Result: Alex Volkanovski def. Brian Ortega by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-44)
Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Volkanovski vs Ortega’ below:
https://twitter.com/danthehangman/status/1441972565384196099
Let’s gooooooo @alexvolkanovski #UFC266 Aussie Aussie Aussie!!!
— Jimmy Crute (@CruteJim) September 26, 2021
Main Event Time!!!#UFC266
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) September 26, 2021
I’d kick this volovski head off like it was a rugby ball I was kicking. 5’4! And full of muscle! Hahahahaha little fart he is. Not even a little fart. A shart haahahahaj jackass .
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 26, 2021
1-0 Volk … he seems to have the speed advantage #UFC266
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/giga_chikadze/status/1441987284954320899
WOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!! #UFC266
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 26, 2021
Wow! @alexvolkanovski
— Randa Markos (@randamma) September 26, 2021
one of the greatest rounds I’ve ever witnessed #UFC266
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) September 26, 2021
Man! That was an impressive recovery for @alexvolkanovski
— Randa Markos (@randamma) September 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/JoshEmmettUFC/status/1441989636620910601
Oiiiii volkanovski is the baddest MF out there #UFC266
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) September 26, 2021
I’m losing my mind! Modern day Gladiators. #UFC266
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) September 26, 2021
Post-fight reactions to Alex Volkanovski defeating Brian Ortega:
Foty candidate #supernecessary #UFC266
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) September 26, 2021
Great performance by the champ @alexvolkanovski
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) September 26, 2021
That was madness #UFC266
— Tanner Boser (@BulldozerBoser) September 26, 2021
That was a great fight!!!! #UFC266
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 26, 2021
He might not be leaving with the belt but Ortega showed a champions heart tonight. Congratulations to both guys on a great fight!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/POSTERBOYJM/status/1441993474878828552
Not a bad fight. Congrats shartsy
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 26, 2021
What a fight! Display of heart and skill!! Congrats @alexvolkanovski
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) September 26, 2021
Who would you like to see Alex Volkanovski fight next following his victory over Brian Ortega this evening at UFC 266? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!