Tiki Ghosn
Ahead of their much anticipated fight this weekend, we take a look at who manages Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez
The talent stacked featherweight division is witnessing some incredible fights and movement, reigned by an immovable force that is Alexander Volkanovski. Many have tried, and many have failed. Two of the best featherweights clash this weekend in an epic contest, when Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez cross paths. Ortega has already had a shot at Volkanovski’s title once, and came the closest to dethroning the featherweight champion.
Brian Ortega is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division of the UFC. Currently ranked at No.2, Ortega is a 1st degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Rener Gracie. He was also the former featherweight champion of RFA.
Brian started learning martial arts at the tender age of five at Al Martinez Muay Thai Kickboxing in Wilmington, California. When he turned 13, he began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy under Rorion Gracie, and his sons Ryron, Rener, and Ralek Gracie in Torrance, California. At 17, Ortega would meet boxing coach James Luhrsen, who took him under his wings and trained him in striking skills.
Ortega did not have the most memorable of debuts inside the UFC octagon. Although he won his fight against Mike De La Torre through a rear naked choke, the win was overturned after he tested positive for drostanolone. Ortega was fined $2,500 and suspended for nine months.Ortega returned almost after a year against Thiago Tavares on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68. He won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the third round. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.
His biggest victory early in his career came against Diego Brandão, a second-degree jiu-jitsu black belt back then. Ortega submitted his opponent via triangle choke, and went on to beat MMA legend Clay Guida by knockout.
An exciting fighter who comes for the finish, Ortega has won the Fight of the night award five times, and performance of the night award twice.
Winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America tournament, Yair Rodriguez is the third-ranked featherweight fighter in the world. An explosive fighter, with diverse weapons in his arsenal, and a killer instinct to shut down opponent’s lights, the Mexican fighter can be a fresh challenge for the champion Alexander Volkanovski with a decisive win.
A black belt in Taekwondo, Rodríguez made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut on October 10, 2011, at Mexican Fighter Promotions 8, when he fought Jonatan Guzmán and won via unanimous decision.
It was announced in May 2014 that Rodríguez would be a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, competing for “Team Velasquez”. In his first fight on the show, Rodríguez defeated Humberto Brown in the quarterfinals via submission (triangle choke). In the semifinals, Rodríguez defeated Rudolfo Rubio via submission (strikes) to reach the finals.
Rodriguez faced Leonardo Morales in The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America featherweight finals, and won the fight by unanimous decision. Rodriguez also holds the record for the latest knockout in UFC history (4 minutes 59 seconds of Round 5), has five Fight of the Night bonuses, and three performance of the night awards.
Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez are both managed by Tiki Ghosn, a former MMA fighter himself. Although none of their Instagram handles, or websites provide any confirmation of that, particularly for Yair, Ghosn can be seen supporting both fighters proudly during their fights.
Khalil “Tiki” Ghosn is a retired Lebanese-born American mixed martial artist (MMA) veteran, competing from 1998 to 2009 in the Welterweight division. Tiki was one of the four original MMA fighters managed by UFC President Dana White, prior to Dana becoming owner and president of the UFC.
Ghosn who was in the corner of Brian Ortega, reacted to his fighter’s gritty effort against Alexander Volkanovski with an Instagram post which read, ”Brian Ortega you are an absolute killer, you gave us rounds 4 and 5 when the world thought you were done. You told me that if you were to die in that cage that you would be at peace and I heard you. When we pulled you off the canvas at the end of the 3rd you listened and focused and earned the respect of millions and you inspired many, including me. Sometimes when you win you lose, and sometimes when you lose you win. You will become a champion I believe in you and you showed a champions mindset and heart Saturday night. Your post fight speech is just another reason why you’re loved. Thank you Brian for allowing me to be a part of the best Championship fight I have ever seen and thank you to our entire team.”
He also reacted to Yair Rodriguez’s viral victory against The Korean Zombie by saying, ”This was short notice fight(12 days) that took a lot of hard work and major commitment from my fighter Yair Rodriguez, can’t express how proud I am of him stepping up and taking on this challenge.”
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