Brian Ortega made some drastic changes to his fight preparation after suffering his first career defeat.
“T-City’s” career as a professional fighter got off to about as hot of a start as one could dream of. Winning his way to a title shot with a flawless 14-0 record, Ortega found himself set to take on the reigning champion, Max Holloway, on Dec. 2018.
The featherweight showdown was one of the most anticipated matchups of the year across the whole sport, if not the most anticipated. Ortega lost the fight, and it was one of his best ever career performances. Beating Ortega to the point of unforgettably teaching him defensive tactics mid-fight, “Blessed” picked up the TKO victory and his second title defense after the doctors stopped the action ahead of the fifth round.
This was an important moment for Ortega that saw him take almost two years from the competition in order to evaluate and grow.
“It happened to me,” Ortega said of losing the joy for fighting when speaking on Fight Nation with Jimmy Smith. It literally happened to me. I’m going to tell you that it lasted for 2 years. When I won, I would fight, and win. I felt like I was cool. My job is done. Now let me get back to my life. I want to go eat Jack In The Box, I want to go eat this, I want to go on vacation, I want to go surfing, I want to be a beach bum.’
” I would like to go back and enjoy my life the way I called it. It wasn’t until losing that I had to reassess everything. When I reassessed everything is when I said, ‘Dude, I f****** suck. You know what? I sucked. I thought I was good because I was winning but then these guys at the top, they’re a different level. They’re doing other things. They’re doing other things. Where are they? Although I possess the necessary skills and knowledge to fight in the UFC, I lack the consistency or discipline to succeed at that level. And if I gotta do that, I gotta change a lot of things about my life.'”
Once Ortega returned to action, he looked completely reinvented … and not just because he shaved his head before the comeback appearance.
Tasked with a fellow former title challenger, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, Ortega — one of the best submission specialists on the planet — put on a striking clinic. Ortega defeated “Zombie”, for five rounds straight, and was unanimously declared the winner. He then won another chance at gold.
Looking to rebound again for just the second time in his 18-fight career, Ortega headlines opposite Yair Rodriguez this Saturday night at UFC Long Island.
“After that [Holloway loss],, I replied, “Oh, wow! There’s wrestling!” Muay Thai exists,'” Ortega said. It sounds ridiculous, but it was true. I was training in a garage. I would just hit the bag, do a couple mitts, lift some weights, wake up. Not have no nutrition, pre-workout for breakfast. All the way until the title, that’s what people don’t understand.”
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr. First Tense Faceoff.
Ortega vs Rodriguez | Main Event Hype | UFC Long Island.
Rise from Jack Shore.
RIZIN 37 Trailer.
Celebrating one year of DC & RC, Dustin Poirier, and Michelle Waterson.
Amanda Nunes chats with Laura Sanko.
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin talks to Deiveson Figueiredo, UFC flyweight champion, and Curtis Blaydes.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck explains why Dana White is absent from UFC events.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Coming soon?
Squad.
Just keep swimming.
BURST!
Woohoo!
Big win today Doctor said my 2 month post Op ACL looks and feels like a 5 month post Op. aggressive rehab and positive thoughts working, back in the octagon sooon !
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) July 12, 2022
Benito.
After 2-3 years out due to off and on injuries I am finally healthy and ready to get back in there. @Aiemannzahabi I would love to get the in the cage with you and get that one back for my boy and our team. [************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* ****************************************************************************************************************************************************** ******************************************************************************************************************************************************** @seanshelby @ufc
— Benito Lopez (@Savage_530) July 12, 2022
Incredible.
The elusive flying low kick #popMMA pic.twitter.com/GJOpr2dxAC
— Matysek (@Matysek88) July 11, 2022
Rematch.
August 5th we run it back. @PFLMMA pic.twitter.com/u5FLOtpJSF
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) July 8, 2022
Find the way.
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2022
It happens.
Now, that’s a green space.
Sparring!
It’s a family matter.
Strength of support.
Oh.
everything you need to know about grappling in 3 seconds pic.twitter.com/MKEXUKgn1R
— freelancegoon (@freelancegoon2) July 12, 2022
Well…
.Dope! My birthday is July 31st! I can’t wait for Dana to get me what she deserves! @danawhite
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 12, 2022
Live it up, Darren.
@darrentill2 dead bro pic.twitter.com/ZLNd88SzCt
— Shaun williams (@shauncwilliamss) July 12, 2022
Back to shape.
Part 3.
Watch the intense highlights of Demetrious Johnson and Henry Cejudo training. Powered by @jimmybars get your fuel on! #jimmybars pic.twitter.com/sgj1P1WQ1H
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2022
Hashtag.
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) July 12, 2022
True.
Ppl are weird asf
— Kay Hansen (@KayHansenMMA) July 12, 2022
Spice…
The facts are the facts. Conor should have learned from his boss Dana White that I’m not the one to play with it. Dana has been keeping me from him since last year. pic.twitter.com/y9wbMhmWIs
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) July 12, 2022
Lucky Lauren, indeed.
Look what I found in Central Park! #UFCLongIsland #luckylaurenmurphy pic.twitter.com/t2auHvTDB6
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) July 13, 2022
Workin’.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Anthony Hernandez (9-2, 1 NC) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (14-5, 1 NC); UFC Fight Night, Sept. 17
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s great to see Till still having fun. Thank you for reading.
EXIT POLL
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