UFC featherweight fighter Brian Ortega, who has been out of action for over a year, made his comeback during UFC Mexico on February 24, 2024. Ortega faced Yair Rodriguez in a rematch from July 2022 – his last fight. In 2022, Ortega faced defeat against Rodriguez owing to a shoulder dislocation. After an inspiring recovery process, Ortega came out strong to pull off a win. Max Holloway‘s reaction to Ortega’s latest win also went viral.
Ortega has been talking about “rebirth” around his UFC Mexico comeback. He claimed that he was a new man who had left all the bad things behind. His performance, however, was something like the old days.
Brian Ortega details his “rebirth” before Saturday’s #UFCMexico return 🦅 pic.twitter.com/IUi3bbCZ28
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 21, 2024
T-City made his fans concerned when he rolled his ankle during warm-ups. Moreover, he made a horrendous start to the fight. Rodriguez was dominating Ortega and looked like he was heading for a 10-8 round. However, Ortega finished strong but still seemed to have lost the round.
The American fighter dominated the second round. He was on top of the Mexican for almost three minutes and cut open a deep gash under his eye with some strong strikes. The third round was the final blow. Within a minute of the third round, Ortega rolled back the years with a skillful move that turned into a submission. Rodriguez tapped out and Ortega earned a successful comeback.
Max Holloway’s reaction to Brian Ortega beating Yair Rodriguez 👀 pic.twitter.com/1ncIllAz10
— Best MMA Moments (@XcellentMMA) February 25, 2024
At one point, Ortega was 14-0 in his career. His first-ever professional MMA loss was handed to him by Max Holloway in 2018. ‘Blessed’ was left in utter shock by Ortega’s performance. His reaction went viral on X. Holloway took a few seconds to digest what had happened in the UFC Mexico co-main event. After taking it in, it seemed Holloway was impressed by Ortega’s win.
Aljamain Sterling, Jalin Turner, and others react to Brian Ortega’s impressive win at UFC Mexico
Several pro-MMA fighters were left impressed by Brian Ortega’s performance at UFC Mexico. Ortega detailed his struggles during his post-fight interview which made his victory even more inspiring.
Let’s go!!!!!!! @BrianTcity 🫡
— Jalin Turner (@JalinTurner) February 25, 2024
UFC lightweight fighter Jalin Turner took to X and wrote. “Let’s go!!!!!!! @BrianTcity,” followed by a saluting emoji. Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling was also left impressed. He wrote, “So much improvement in that wrestling department! Wow Ortega looked great!! #UFCMexicoCity.”
So much improvement in that wrestling department! Wow Ortega looked great!! #UFCMexicoCity
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 25, 2024
Other pros that reacted included Derek Brunson of PFL. The light heavyweight fighter wrote, “Ortega what a ******* g DOG . Heart he always shows !”
Retired UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa also credited Ortega for a great comeback. He wrote, “Wowww what a comeback!! Silenced the crowd #UFCMexicoCity”
Ortega has fought twice for the UFC Featherweight Championship. He lost both fights against Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. The 33-year-old #4 ranked fighter could join the title conversation again soon.