UFC 231 was every bit as good a fight card as it looked on paper. Bouts between Thaigo Santos & Jimi Manuwa, Gunnar Nelson & Alex Oliveira, and Valentina Shevchenko & Joanna Jedrzejczyk all delivered great, high-level action. But, none moreso than the main event, where featherweight champion Max Holloway faced title challenger Brian Ortega.
Ortega made it through four grueling rounds against the champion before the doctor stopped the fight ahead of the opening bell in round 5. His left eye swollen shut, his face bloodied, the challenger had flashes of success in the cage — but largely the fight was dictated by Holloway’s success.