UFC 222 Free Fight: Frankie Edgar vs Chad Mendes 4 days ago
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Before Frankie Edgar takes on rising star Brian Ortega in the co-main event of UFC 222, take a look back at the quickest win of Edgar's career against Chad Mendes in 2015. Subscribe to get all the l watch video >>
UFC 222 Official Weigh In Highlights a day ago
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Check out some of the UFC 222 fighters making weight in Las Vegas, Nevada ahead of the fights tomorrow night. watch video >>
Brian Ortega made history on Saturday, and he also made himself some extra pocket change.
“T-City” lived up to his reputation as a fight finisher, recording his sixth consecutive win by knockout or submission with a first-round uppercut KO of former UFC champion Frankie Edgar in the co-main event of UFC 222 in Las Vegas. The 27-year-old Californian became the first man to stop Edgar, who has been competing professionally since 2005, and he was given a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for the feat.
Also receiving a Performance of the Night bonus was UFC newcomer Alexander Hernandez. Facing lightweight contender Beneil Dariush on a week’s notice as a replacement for an injured Bobby Green, the little known Hernandez came out guns blazing and put Dariush down for the count just 42 seconds into round one.
The Fight of the Night award went to Sean O’Malley and Andre Soukhamthath for their three-round battle on the main card that O’Malley squeaked out via unanimous decision despite suffering a leg injury that left him unable to stand as the scorecards were being read. For the majority of the contest, O’Malley showed off the slick striking skills that have made him a hot prospect, and he needed every move in his arsenal to hold off the gritty Soukhamthath.
Let there be no more doubt: Brian Ortega is the real deal.
The Gracie jiu-jitsu standout from Torrance, Calif., had the biggest opportunity of his career on Saturday night, as he took a matchup with Frankie Edgar as a replacement for featherweight champion Max Holloway.
And boy, did Ortega ever take advantage. A giant, fight-changing elbow led to a first-round knockout on Saturday night in the co-feature bout of UFC 222. The time of the stoppage at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was 4:44 of the opening round as Ortega become the first fighter ever to finish the legendarily tough former UFC lightweight champion.
“This is how I always saw it in my dreams” Ortega (14-0, 1 NC) said. “It was an honor to share the Octagon with a legend like Frankie.”
Edgar did his thing over the first half of the round, darting in and out and throwing punches in bunches. But it was only a matter of time before Ortega closed the distance. A wicked left elbow was followed up patiently by a right uppercut, and then another right uppercut dropped Edgar and essentially finished the fight.
Ortega has won six straight fights since a no-contest in his UFC debut, with stoppages in all six fights.
“I knew he was going to be in my face pressuring me, so I had to use my elbows,” Ortega said.”
Edgar (22-6-1) had a two-fight win streak snapped.
