It’s been almost a year since UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway stepped inside the cage to defend his title. All three of his scheduled matchups in the early part of the year had been scrapped due to health issues, including his title defense against Brian Ortega at UFC 226 last July.
Ortega previously stated that he will be fighting for the title with or without Holloway. During a media scrum at UFC 229, the undefeated challenger confirmed that the UFC actually has a replacement fighter on deck.
“They (UFC) talked about replacement,” Ortega said. “They said they have a replacement; they haven’t said the name.