UFC free fight: Alexander Volkanovski survives scare, batters Brian Ortega to retain title

Alexander Volkanovski showed the heart of a champion against Brian Ortega.

After filming Season 29 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Volkanovski faced Ortega in the main event of UFC 266 in September 2021.

The first two rounds were competitive, with both men having their moments on the feet. However, in Round 3, Ortega whipped up a lightning-fast mounted guillotine choke after dropping Volkanovski, which had the champion in survival mode. Volkanovski somehow escaped, before getting caught in a tight triangle choke. Volkanovski fended that off, too, then started dropping bombs on Ortega in what was a thrilling back-and-forth round.

Ortega barely made it to his stool at the end of Round 3 but showed incredible toughness to continue fighting after absorbing plenty of damage. Volkanovski won the fight by unanimous decision, with both men awarded bonuses.

Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) returns to action July 8 when he looks to unify his featherweight title with interim champ Yair Rodriguez (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the UFC 290 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Before he faces Rodriguez, relive Volkanovski’s war with Ortega in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.