Brian Ortega Wants A Super Fight Against Khabib Nurmagomedov
While Ortega isn’t looking past Holloway, a super fight against UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is something Ortega wants in the future.
“Every grappler, we have this since even before I was training, this whole wrestler vs. jiu-jitsu,” Ortega said at a UFC 231 media luncheon. “We get along in the gym and we’re always like, you know, this is a matchup. Our hands are both good. He’s a top game guy and a wrestler and I’m a bottom game guy and a jiu-jitsu guy.”
Nurmagomedov hasn’t competed since UFC 229 and is still awaiting punishment for the post-fight brawl at that very event.
Ironically, it was that bout at UFC 229 that first put the idea in Ortega’s head for the super fight against Nurmagomedov.
“I was watching a lot of things in that fight, where, if I was in that position, there’s a lot of things I’d be doing differently,” Ortega said. “And that kind of just made me realize, kind of just, what I want is a superfight, if I ever get there, and it’s within reach. If I play my cards right, it’s within reach.”
UFC 231 takes place on Saturday, December 8 from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Max Holloway and Brian Ortega headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
