In a thrilling UFC Mexico main event, Brian Ortega showcased remarkable resilience and skill by overcoming an early challenge from Yair Rodriguez to secure a victory via submission in the third round. The fight was marked by Ortega's ability to weather the storm against the always-dangerous Rodriguez, especially after sticking with it in R2, eventually locking in an arm triangle that led to the tap out. This victory was not without controversy, as Ortega held onto the choke for a few moments even after Rodriguez tapped and referee Marc Goddard intervened, a moment he later explained by saying, "I zoned out," in the heat of the competition. Ortega's performance was widely celebrated for his heart and determination, with many speculating about his next opponent, potentially setting up a fight against Ilia Topuria. The event was broadcast live on TNT Sports & discovery+, drawing significant attention and acclaim for Ortega's comeback finish.
WHAT. A. FIGHT. π₯ Yair Rodriguez π Brian Ortega was exciting from start to finish π Watch the #UFCMexico fight highlights now βΆοΈ https://t.co/8VrB2oUfu0
Brian Ortega gives his thoughts on a potential title shot after submitting Yair Rodriguez at #UFCMexico. https://t.co/7ZqfpVNgcw
Brian Ortega asked referee Marc Goddard to not raise his hand at #UFCMexico https://t.co/5KpbvOa8S3
Yair Rodriguez addresses loss to Brian Ortega at #UFCMexico https://t.co/0zHK68gc0E
Brian Ortega defers the next title shot to Alexander Volkanovski, but would be "happy to go to Spain" to face Ilia Topuria if a rematch isn't set up. πͺπΈ https://t.co/TTeAGjzEh2
Brian Ortega defers the next title shot to Alexander Volkanovski, but would "love to go to Spain" to face Ilia Topuria if a title rematch isn't set up. πͺπΈ https://t.co/2shGZOWyNb
Preparation. Practice. Perfection π€ Brian Ortega's BJJ Coach, Rener Gracie, shared this awesome footage of @BrianTcity training THAT submission just moments before his fight with Yair Rodriguez π πΉ: @RenerGracie #UFCMexico https://t.co/7mOohFu0ao
Brian Ortega says Alex Volkanovski deserves a rematch against Ilia Topuria in Spain. πͺπΈπ #UFCMexicoCity βBut if he(Volkanovski) decides that he does not want to fight, and [wants to] chill, Iβm more than happy to go to Spain.β https://t.co/ESGYsfqaaP
Brian Ortega is "happy to go to Spain" if Alex Volkanovski doesn't make the trip π π° https://t.co/IQJzKcq29N https://t.co/yPbKdBDDlJ
Brian Ortega practicing the same submission he finished Yair Rodriguez with minutes before walking out at #UFCMexico π³π https://t.co/6McXgwkPwI
Locker room footage of Brian Ortega drilling the arm triangle sequence he used to submit Yair Rodriguez at #UFCMexicoCity. ππ https://t.co/JUC9mOpStT
Brian Ortega explains why he held onto the arm triangle against Yair Rodriguez for a couple seconds after referee Mark Goddard stepped in to stop the fight. π #UFCMexicoCity βWhen I went in there, I kind of just dove deep, and I clenched my jaw and I couldnβt really hearβ¦ https://t.co/EfAikXZWku
Ortega asked Goddard not to raise his hand out of respect for Yair. π²π½ https://t.co/B9tuuZ2G8Y
How do you think a fight between Ilia Topuria and Brian Ortega would go? π€ #UFCMexico https://t.co/F5KXdTTRlW
Brian Ortega is a real one π«Ά @BrianTcity asked @marcgoddard_uk NOT to raise his hand as a show of respect to Yair Rodriguez at #UFCMexico π€ π²π½ https://t.co/uBksBwXSkJ
Brian Ortega will be ready to fight Ilia Topuria in Spain if Alexander Volkanovski needs some time out ππͺπΈ #UFCMexico https://t.co/mAosmjGwsz
A quick lil #UFCMexico wrap-up for my fans! π²π½π²π½π²π½ https://t.co/ciQ7zvQNuA
God I love Mexico. π²π½ #UFCMexico https://t.co/JJdnWxdw2F
Brian Ortega on the moment after Marc Goddard shook him off: "I zoned out. It was just squeeze for dear life. Whatever you do, don't let go... Afterwards I apologized to the ref and everybody." #UFCMexico https://t.co/gsVhpAokfM
Brian Ortega explains why it took him a few extra moments to release his fight-ending choke on Yair Rodriguez at #UFCMexico. https://t.co/G7SBuiAG0c
Brian Ortega talks about why he was still holding onto the choke after referee Marc Goddard stopped it: (π₯: ESPN MMA/youtube) #UFCMexico | @BrianTcity https://t.co/fbxbIltNq4
WE ARE LIVE NOW TO RECAP #UFCMexico WATCH HERE! β¬οΈ https://t.co/hWfIDz2hc0 https://t.co/wA56XaGEYo
25 minutes in the books π₯ The #UFCMexico Main Event is headed to the judges scorecards! https://t.co/KD5dz0zeDs
WHAT A MAIN EVENT! π€― #UFCMexico | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ https://t.co/1ov9uVk9el
Final scorecards for the #UFCMexico main event π
Scorecards after four π #UFCMexico
The #UFCMexico Main Event starts NOW on @ESPNPlus π²π½ https://t.co/fZmnZZ4loi
WHAT A POP for the first Mexican-born Champion in UFC history π²π½π²π½π²π½ Brandon Moreno is a SUPERSTAR! #UFCMexico | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ https://t.co/9p81AtP8vq
'Insane heart': Social reacts to Brian Ortega's comeback finish of Yair Rodriguez in #UFCMexico rematch https://t.co/9fDSogcTKM
πΏπΏπΏ #UFCMexico | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ https://t.co/ds4gNgOb60
Brian Ortega pulled off the DUB after overcoming adversity! Who's next for T-City? πππ #UFCMexico | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ https://t.co/z8XbaH4JTq
Good company #UFCMexico https://t.co/Uo5B4BK4Hr
We've arrived at the #UFCMexico main event coming up in a matter of minutes! Who ya got?!? Full coverage: https://t.co/66G45E8Iwj https://t.co/KpjEtB5Ywe
Cannot stress enough how much I love Brian Ortega Heart of a Fβing champion @BrianTcity #UFCMexico
Brian Ortega avoiding a full-on Dre Greenlaw moment and submitting Yair Rodriguez in the third after a tough start is impressive as hell. #UFCMexico https://t.co/hKzo2LKLoK
Must. Watch. Comeback!!! Wow, a lesson in weathering adversity! Yair RodrΓguez had his way early. Brian Ortega stuck with it and took over in R2 and then in R3 he gets the arm triangle for the tap! That π²π½ Spirit! #UFC #UFCMexico #MMATwitter https://t.co/ZGQUwx52p1
Beautiful submission by Brian Ortega. Forced Yair to post for elbow defense and locked it in. COLD π₯Ά #UFCMexico https://t.co/BHJFoCAKJE
So is it now Ilia Topuria vs Brian Ortega next? #UFCMexico
WHAT A COMBACK BY BRIAN ORTEGA AGAINST YAIR RODRIGUEZ. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT. WE NEED ILIA TOPURIA VS BRIAN ORTEGA! #UFCMexicoCity https://t.co/2I21EqPqO2
Great heart by Brian Ortega battling through adversity against the always dangerous Yair! #UFCMexicoCity
Brian Ortega holds on to the choke even after Yair Rodriguez taps and after the referee instructs him to let it go. That was definitely suspect. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Let's see what he says at the presser. #UFCMexico
T-City!!! @BrianTcity Huge dub. #UFCMexicoCity
PUT RESPECT ON MY MAN BRIAN TCITY ORTEGA #UFCMexicoCity
Brian Ortega submits Yair Rodriguez in the third round. Great to see that he still has that kind of performance in him after the layoff.
T-CITY!!!! #UFCMexico
Yair Rodriguez in the corner after that first round #UFCMexico https://t.co/1fr57bjOGQ