The main event at UFC on ABC (Long Island) ended abruptly, when Brian Ortega suffered a horrendous injury to his shoulder
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, Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez clashed this weekend, but the fight came to an end abruptly, when Ortega was unable to continue after appearing to dislocate his right shoulder.
The fight began with Ortega trying to push forward and close the distance. He walked into some quick right hands by Yair,. followed by a counter left and stiff jab. Both fighters came in swinging, throwing wild punches at each other, and the fans roared with the pace these guys put up in such a short time. Ortega quickly shot for a takedown, and established a solid body lock in the mix. He started to work some points from the position with knees, while also trying to take the fight to his desired terrain.
Rodriguez settled for some little heel kicks to the calf before separating. Ortega attempted another shot under a punch and puts him on the fence again, completing the takedown this time. Rodriguez tries to roll for an armbar, and as Ortega tried to pull his arm free, his shoulder separated.
Ortega had injured the same shoulder in 2016 and underwent surgery. Officially, the circumstances resulted in a victory for Rodriguez via TKO.
Brian Ortega calls for a rematch with Yair Rodriguez after recovering from the shoulder injury
Both fighters laid out the possibility of a rematch in the future after the unfortunate ending. Yair Rodriguez was all class as he warmed up to the idea of running it back, but for a title possibly.
“I already told him we can run it back, but I would rather do it for a championship,” Rodriguez said. “But I’m OK with whatever the UFC decides. This was unfortunate. I was prepared to win, but that’s not the way I wanted.”
Ortega echoed the same sentiment, and wants to get back to action as soon as he’s healed up. “I don’t know how it happened,” Ortega said. “I wanted to keep going. I’ve had two shoulder surgeries, and I might need a third one. The fight was going good. I got him to the ground. I was not in submission danger. [Yair], it is what it is. If you don’t get a title fight, I want to get in and let’s do this right. This is not the right way. I’m so sorry. I want both of us to leave it all in here.”
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