Our Aussie, Alexander Volkanovski defends his featherweight championship belt against a UFC mainstay, Brain Ortega. The two have gone head-to-head all season outside of the octagon as opposing coaches on the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter, and now, they’ll be able to really see who will come out on top.
Volkanovski (22-1-0) is a powerhouse in the featherweight division, taking the belt in December 2019 from Max Holloway in a stellar battle. In winning the title, he became Australia’s second-ever UFC champion, sitting behind Robert Whittaker who held his middleweight title until a defeat at the hands of Israel Adesanya.
Volkanovski hails from Shellharbour, on the coastline of NSW, and grew up with rugby league as a likely career path. On his choice to pursue MMA over that, Volkanovski’s father had this to say.
"He was playing rugby league, then when he decided to start fighting I didn't like it because of how dangerous the sport is," he said.
"But he told me the sport is actually safer than rugby league. You have a referee watching two people the whole time, while in rugby league you have 26 people and only three referees."
Tony Volkanovski knew his son would go on to be a champion and make good on his promise to bring home an early Christmas present for the family.
"From the day he started he said he wanted to be the best … he said he wanted to have that belt, and after eight years he finally did.
"A couple of weeks before he went to Vegas he said, 'Dad, I know you're always nervous at my fights, but trust me I'll be fine. I'm fit, and I'll bring that belt home and we'll celebrate it for Christmas'."
Brian Ortega has been a mainstay in the UFC world for years, but hasn’t been that active in the scene as of late. Ortega was sidelined after losing a match against Max Holloway in December 2018, but returned this past October to pick up an impressive win over Chan Sung Jung, punching a ticket to the title shot to face Volkanovski.
In the co-main, women’s powerhouse and dominant champion, Valentina Shevchenko is looking to continue her reign over the flyweight division. After five successful title defenses, with only one loss to Amanda Nunes, Shevchenko will defend again against Lauren Murphy. Murphy will get her first ever title shot inside the UFC after propelling up the division on a five fight winning streak.
Plus, fan favourite, Nick Diaz is back in the Octagon for the first time since 2015, when he faces another popular face in Robbie Lawler. Diaz was hit with a big suspension for failing a drug test for the presence of marijuana metabolites after his fight with Anderson Silva. So many have been waiting for the day that Diaz was back, and finally the day has arrived. Lawler is on a four fight losing skid, but remains a popular attraction.
MAIN CARD
Featherweight Title Bout
Alexander Volkanovski vs Brian Ortega
Women’s Flyweight Title Bout
Valentina Shevchenko vs Lauren Murphy
UNDER CARD
Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler
Curtis Blaydes vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Jessica Andrade vs Cynthia Calvillo
Marlon Moraes vs Merab Dvalishvili
Shamil Abdurakhimov vs Chris Daukaus
Manon Fiorot vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Karl Roberson vs Nick Maximov