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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 29: Brian Ortega acknowledges the crowd in his featherweight bout against Renato Moicano of Brazil during the UFC 214 event at Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 29: Brian Ortega acknowledges the crowd in his featherweight bout against Renato Moicano of Brazil during the UFC 214 event at Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Brian Ortega is set to take on Alexander Volkanovski this weekend at the UFC 266 pay-per-view. This will be Ortega’s second shot at the 145 lbs gold as he has already challenged the former champion, Max Holloway, once at UFC 231 for the belt. Ortega came up short on that occasion.
However, he looked massively improved on his return after suffering his first career loss. He outclassed Chan Sung-Jung to earn his shot against Volkanovski. recently, at the UFC 266 countdown video, Ortega introduced fans to his coaching team. ‘T-City’ also explained how his trainers have played a huge role in him getting back at the top after his loss to Holloway.
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“The new team that I have now is in my opinion the best thing that’s ever happened in my career. I’ve the guy that’s been the longest Rener Gracie. He’s been in my corner for 17 years. I have Mike Saffaie, the strength and conditioning coach. Coach Paul Herrera, he is the wrestling coach. Tiki Ghosn is the manager. Jason park is my Muay-Thai coach. Jesus Avila boxing coach,” said Ortega.
Can Brian Ortega finally become a UFC champion at UFC 266?
Ortega will have a shot at redemption as he takes on Volkanovski this weekend. He has previously managed to challenge for the belt once already. But Holloway gave the then-undefeated Ortega a reality check on that occasion. The former champion was truly a step ahead of his opponent in every aspect in that fight.
But, The Korea Zombie fight saw a completely new version of Ortega. He was a fighter that fans haven’t seen beforehand. Composure, skill, patience, everything was on display from Ortega that night. If he can pull off a performance of the same caliber, he might just be able to become the UFC featherweight champion this weekend. However, Volkanovski is on a different level of his own.
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 18: (L-R) Brian Ortega kicks ‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung in their featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on October 18, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Nevertheless, fans are in for a barn-burner when the Octagon door closes this weekend. Who eventually comes out on top as the winner of the contest, remains to be seen.
