Fighters react to Max Holloway stopping Brian Ortega at UFC 231

Tonight’s UFC 231 event was headlined by a highly anticipated featherweight title fight featuring reigning champ Max Holloway taking on undefeated contender Brian Ortega.

Max Holloway returned to action tonight for the first time since UFC 218 in December of 2017, where he defeated former division kingpin Jose Aldo for a second time by way of TKO.

Meanwhile, Brian Ortega entered tonight’s UFC 231 main event sporting a perfect professional record of 14-0. “T-City” had most recently competed at March’s UFC 222 event, where he became the first fighter to finish former lightweight title holder Frankie Edgar.

Tonight’s UFC 231 headliner was dominated by Max Holloway. The Hawaiian put on a sensational performance which left Ortega battered and bruised.

After four rounds of non-stop action, Brian Ortega had already absorbed an unimaginable amount of punishment and the doctors decided it was best to call a stop to the action.

Despite the win coming via doctors stoppage, there was no doubt that this was one of the finest performances of Max Holloway’s already storied career.

Check out how the pros reacted to Max Holloway handing Brian Ortega his first career loss below.

Good fight congrats to @BlessedMMA 👏

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 9, 2018

Woooooooooo!!!!! Good Job Both Fighters!! Love To See That Kind Of Entertainment!!! @BlessedMMA #ufc231 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽 Enjoy The Victory, If @TeamKhabib Ducks Me Let’s Run It – Respect

— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 9, 2018

Ahh what a fight! So torn between the two. Such great men. I felt the difference was that handspeed for Max. Great technical fight! Ortega will be back for sure! He has the heart of a lion! #Classic #UFC231

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 9, 2018

What a absolutely phenomenal fight!!!!

Ortega is one tough dude but Holloway, man, his fight IQ and movement is just on another level. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

The fans won that fight..#UFC231 https://t.co/G4HZrwnc54

— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) December 9, 2018

Son of a bitch. Holloway vs Ortega. #ufc
Thank you

— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) December 9, 2018

Damn that was a great scrap. Congrats to Holloway and Respect to both 🙏🏽 #UFC231

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 9, 2018

Man Ortega is a tough as hell!! Congrats Hawaiian @BlessedMMA true #champion 🤙🏽💯👊🏽

— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) December 9, 2018

Wow. Wow. Wow! So impressed by @BlessedMMA not only the best 45er but pound for pound one of the best fighters in the world. Props to @BrianTcity heart of a warrior! @ufc #UFC231

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) December 9, 2018

What a fight🔥
Congratulations @BlessedMMA you are great champion. 👍

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 9, 2018

What did you think of tonight’s UFC 231 main event between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega and who would you like to see “Blessed” fight next? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!