Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight crown with a wildly entertaining unanimous decision victory over Brian Ortega at UFC 266 in Las Vegas Saturday night.
Volkanovski stepped on the gas early, using striking and leg kicks to pile up some points on Ortega, who fired back but was bloodied in the second round.
Put some respect on his name 🗣🏆
[ @AlexVolkanovski | #UFC266 ] pic.twitter.com/qVQTr3qTzu
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
After a head clash in round 3, Ortega scored a big shot that knocked Volkanovski down and somehow survived an Ortega triangle submission attempt. But Ortega’s right eye was accumulating damage and it affected him for the rest of the fight. Volkanovski continued to apply the pressure with strikes leaving a bloody Ortega on the mat ring to pull guard.
THIS. ROUND. IS. INSANE!!!! #UFC266 pic.twitter.com/tfzHrIjUpp
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
The doctors checked Ortega before the beginning of round 4 and Round 5. Volkanovski continued to pile up the points with his strikes and leg kicks while Ortega valiantly tried to look for submissions until the final horn.
The judges scored it 49-46, 50-45, and 50-44.
All love from @BrianTCity after a hard-fought battle ❤️ #UFC266 pic.twitter.com/6LJzZHFCLP
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
With the win, Volkanovski has now won 20 straight fights dating back to December 2013. With former champion Max Holloway looking on, a trilogy match with “Blessed” is a high probability.
Ortega has now lost two of his last three fights, albeit to top competition.
Volkanovski and Ortega secured Fight of the Night while Chris Daukaus and Merab Dvalishil earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
JONATHAN PEARCE VS. OMAR MORALES
LOCKED it in TIGHT 🔒@JSPMMA gets the job done in the second!
[ #UFC266 | Early Prelims Live NOW on ESPN+ & @UFCFightPass] pic.twitter.com/w231t3spoW
— UFC (@ufc) September 25, 2021
WINNER: JONATHAN PEARCE VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R2 3:31
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JONATHAN PEARCE VIA UD
Andrews: Great work by Pearce on the ground.
MATTHEW SEMELSBERGER VS. MARTIN SANO
One punch is all @SemiTheJedi needed 👊
[ #UFC266 | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/wWeSUZ0HTs
— UFC (@ufc) September 25, 2021
WINNER: MATTHEW SEMELSBERGER VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 0:15
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MATTHEW SEMELSBERGER VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! That was fast. Big right hand.
CODY BRUNDAGE VS. NICK MAXIMOV
Still undefeated!
A dominant performance from @NickMax15 in his UFC debut 👊
[ #UFC266 | Early Prelims Live NOW on ESPN+ & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/An2HubI683
— UFC (@ufc) September 25, 2021
WINNER: NICK MAXIMOV VIA UD
ANDREWS PREDICTION: NICK MAXIMOV VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Andrews: Good performance on short by Brundage, but was outworked by Maximov on the ground.
UFC 266 PRELIMS
#9 ROXANNE MODAFERRI VS. #12 TALIA SANTOS
Make that 𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬-straight!
🇧🇷 Taila Santos secures the UD win tonight.
[ #UFC266 | Prelims Live NOW on ESPN+ & ESPNews ] pic.twitter.com/3nNeHcjKzI
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: TALIA SANTOS VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TALIA SANTOS VIA UD
Andrews: Santos put another good performance. Good recovery by Roxanne in the last round but Santos was too much.
MAIN CARD
UROS MEDIC VS. JALIN TURNER
The 💯% finish rate for @JalinTurner remains intact.
[ #UFC266 | Early Prelims LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/KgOwpHyv5B
— UFC (@ufc) September 25, 2021
WINNER: JALIN TURNER VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 4:01
ANDREWS PREDICTION: UROS MEDIC VIA TKO
Andrews: Medic got caught. Good work, Jalin.
SHAMIL ABDURAKHIMOV VS. CHRIS DAUKAUS
🎁 @ChrisDaukausMMA gave himself a KO victory for his birthday 🎂
[ #UFC266 | Live NOW on @ESPNPlus & ESPNews ] pic.twitter.com/1Z7R7MXxeL
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: CHRIS DAUKAUS VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 1:23
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHRIS DAUKAUS VIA TKO
Andrews: Man, Chris went in there and put him away with the right hand. Nicely done, but ref get in there quicker.
#8 DAN HOOKER VS. NASRAT HAQPARAST
Nothing but respect from @DanTheHangman for his opponent 🤝#UFC266 pic.twitter.com/iA6CWc8njV
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: DAN HOOKER VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DAN HOOKER VIA UD
Andrews: Big respect to both guys for overcoming some big stuff, especially Nasrat.
#6 MARLON MORAES VS. #11 MERAB DVALISHVIL
How did Merab survive this 🤯
[ #UFC266 | Prelims Live NOW on ESPN+ & ESPNews ] pic.twitter.com/JSn96gVPbi
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: MERAB DVALISHVIL VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 4:25
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MERAB DVALISHVIL VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! Moraes was on his way but what a comeback by Merab.
#1 JESSICA ANDRADE VS. #5 CYNTHIA CALVILLO
OH MY GOOOOOODNESS!!!!
🤯@JessicaMMAPro just did that!!!!
[ #UFC266 | We’re Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/2qE0lEWxD2 ] pic.twitter.com/1M4XahwtMN
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: JESSICA ANDRADE VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 4:54
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JESSICA ANDRADE VIA TKO
Andrews: Cynthia couldn’t hold her off late. Good win for Jessica.
#4 CURTIS BLAYDES VS. #6 JAIRZINHO ROZENSTRUIK
Dominant performance for @RazorBlaydes265, who takes the UD victory.
[ #UFC266 | TUNE IN NOW | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/2qE0lEWxD2 ] pic.twitter.com/1Knre3BrHo
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: CURTIS BLAYDES VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CURTIS BLAYDES VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Not too much excitement, but Curtis played it smart but his right eye got caught.
NICK DIAZ VS. ROBBIE LAWLER
REDEMPTION FOR RUTHLESS!
[ @Ruthless_RL| #UFC266 ] pic.twitter.com/2rglBBUhSw
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: ROBBIE LAWLER VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 0:44
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ROBBIE LAWLER VIA UD
Andrews: Amazing first round.Robbie was so focused but Nick looked good until he quit.
(C) VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO VS. #3 LAUREN MURPHY
👊 @BulletValentina letting it fly in the fourth round
[ #UFC266 | TUNE IN NOW | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/2qE0lEEWLu ] pic.twitter.com/63vLwla35B
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO VIA TKO (STRIKES) R4 4:00
ANDREWS PREDICTION: VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO VIA TKO
Andrews: Murphy tried to be patient and play it smarter and Valentina was still ahead. Ronda Rousey type stuff here.
MAIN EVENT
(C) ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS. #2 BRIAN ORTEGA
HEAVY shots from the champ 👊😳
[ #UFC266 is LIVE on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/2qE0lEEWLu ] pic.twitter.com/WuBBeGj9hA
— UFC (@ufc) September 26, 2021
WINNER: ALEXANDER VOLKANOVKSI VIA UD (49-46, 50-45, 50-44)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEXANDER VOLKANOVKSI VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! A good main card punctuated by this instant classic. The fans won here.
