Brian Ortega to star in action movie after UFC 231 title fight

If Brian Ortega defeats UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 231 this Saturday in Toronto, don’t expect him to defend his new title right away. He’ll be busy with other things for a few months.

Speaking at a UFC 231 media lunch in Los Angeles this week, the undefeated featherweight title challenger announced that he’ll soon be appearing in an action film — in the lead role.

“It’s a movie that I signed with,” Ortega said (via MMA Fighting). “I don’t know. I’ve gotta check, but I think I’ll be the first UFC fighter in history to have the lead role in a big movie. … I didn’t really talk to the producer yet, so I don’t really know what I can say or what I can’t say.”

While Ortega’s main love is fighting, he says he’s happy to be in a position where he can venture down other avenues.

“I don’t look like a fighter,” he said. “I like it though, because it just allows me to be in the position I am now to where I can venture out to wherever I want to go. I can go into acting, I can go into this, I can go different ways now. And because of fighting, I can do that. I just like it. I like the ability, almost like a chameleon, right? Put on a camera and put on some whatever and you’re an actor. Put me in a cage, I’m a fighter. Put me somewhere else — I’m in an ocean, I’m a surfer. I don’t know what I am, I just do it all. And I want to be good at everything.”

Stay tuned for more updates on the burgeoning acting career of Brian Ortega as they emerge.

Brian Ortega will enter his UFC 231 battle with Max Holloway with a flawless 13-0 record. Do you think he’ll leave Toronto with the belt around his waist?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/5/2018.