UFC 266: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega Picks and Predictions

Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega face off for the featherweight title in the main event of UFC 266 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski comes into this fight with a 22-1 record overall and since coming into the UFC he has won each of the nine fights. Each of the last two fights for Volkanovski has been title wins over Max Holloway. Each of the two fights went to the final bell, and the last victory was only by split decision. Each of the nine fights in the UFC has either been by knockout or decision. Volkanovski is averaging 6.02 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.31 significant strikes per minute. He likes to get the fight to the ground and is averaging 2.09 takedowns every 15 minutes but he is only successful on 34 percent of his takedown attempts. Volkanovski has a ton of power, and he is going to need to get out to a fast start in this fight. 

On the other side of this matchup is Brian Ortega who sits with a 15-1 record overall and has won seven of her last eight games. The one loss during that stretch was against Max Holloway back in 2018. Ortega bounced back in a big way in October of 2020 against The Korean Zombie. Ortega had three takedowns, and out struck him 127-62. Ortega is averaging 4.29 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 6.28 significant strikes per minute. Ortega usually likes to keep the fight on the feet, and in this game one he needs to make sure that Vokanovski doesn't take him down.