MMA Preview – Alexander Volkanovski vs Brian Ortega at UFC 266
ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS BRIAN ORTEGA FACTS
When is UFC 266? Sunday 26th September, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 266? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 266? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 266
What channel is UFC 266 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 266? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS BRIAN ORTEGA LOWDOWN
Alexander Volkanovski (22-1) finally gets to make the second defence of his belt. He last fought over a year ago in his successful rematch with one of the best featherweights of all time. He caused the upset in 2019 to earn classy unanimous decision over Max Holloway and followed it up with a tighter split decision. These wins have come off the back of another unanimous decision over Jose Aldo but despite those wins over the two best featherweights of all time, Volkanovski is still yet to receive the recognition he deserves.
Brian Ortega (15-1(1)) was scheduled to fight back in April only to have COVID-19 scupper the clash with the Aussie testing positive just before the fight. They then got drafted in to coach The Ultimate Fighter 29 dragging out their new date until UFC 266. Ortega cannot wait to get back into the octagon after putting on his best ever performance. The jiu-jitsu ace went toe-to-toe with The Korean Zombie, Chan Sung Jung in a stand-up battle and won. Few would have predicted that especially after he got well and truly schooled and humbled by Holloway almost two years prior in December 2018.
ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS BRIAN ORTEGA PREDICTION
The improvements Ortega has made since his fight with Holloway makes this an even more intriguing match-up. Very few fighters out strike the Korean Zombie and even though Volkanovski has beaten Holloway and Aldo, Ortega will give him a lot to think about.
Ortega is obviously taller but will be giving up a two-inch reach advantage and he will need an answer for Volkanovski’s pressure. The only advantage he has over the champion is his jiu-jitsu, but he cannot simply wait for an opportunity to land a big shot or a scramble to pounce on a submission.
Ortega has a habit of starting slow and relying on a finish, but he cannot let Volkanovski dictate the pace as he has the cardio to increase the output with each round. He needs to be aggressive but measured like he was against the Zombie firing off leg kicks while constantly hovering out of range and stinging him with his jab.
If Ortega can earn Volkanovski’s respect with a similar game plan, then he can call upon his finishing ability. Unlike Holloway, Ortega only needs one opportunity to finish, usually a choke but he is also becoming more and more of a knockout threat.
Volkanovski is expected to try and suffocate Ortega with his volume, pounding in leg kicks and combinations while mixing in takedown attempts. Do not be surprised if Volkanovski does not rely on his wrestling at least for a couple rounds. His biggest threats are leaving his neck exposed when shooting in and those devastating uppercut and elbows as he closes the distance so he may decide to back his striking to earn a decision.
Ortega was a different beast in his last fight and if he improves further, he could shock a lot of people. We are backing Volkanovski’s striking, fight IQ and cardio to get the job done, but one mistake could land him in T-City.
Prediction: Volkanovski via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Ortega via Submission
