Brian “T-City” Ortega Becomes Top Contender at 145.
#3 Brian “T-City” Ortega (14-0) Defeats Frankie #2 “The Answer” Edgar (22-6) by Knockout (4:44 Round 1).
The MMA world was fully aware of Brian Ortega’s deadly submission game, known to put anyone and everyone in his signature triangle choke. There is absolutely no argument he has the strongest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu pedigree in The Featherweight Division. Against 11-year UFC veteran Frankie “The Answer” Edgar, most believed Ortega’s only path to victory was via submission.
In the Co-Main Event Saturday night, “T-City” demonstrated he has the hands to match his expert Jiu Jitsu, knocking Edgar out in the very first round. The first time Edgar has ever been knocked out in his career.
From the bell, Frankie Edgar’s patented quick movement is on display, catching Ortega with some exiting overhand rights after combinations. Yet “T-City” is able to quickly find his distance, connecting inside with dirty boxing and at length with jabs. He was supremely comfortable and confident against his toughest challenge yet, even running and leaping to throw knees and side body kicks. Quickly it’s evident Ortega’s length and size were major problems for Edgar.
With 30 seconds left in the first round, Ortega perfectly times Edgar’s left and connects with an elbow to the cheek of his opponent. Brian uses his length to extend past his punch and land the strike right on the button. He uses a ton of momentum from his legs, hips, and right arm to generate power for the elbow.
Frankie Edgar is never going to go down from one strike; the legend from Toms River, New Jersey has never lost a match from a submission or knock out. Hobbling, he staves off elimination until just 17 seconds remain. Ortega finds his distance one last time to deliver one of the most punishing uppercuts the UFC has ever seen. He perfectly shifts his legs, transfers all of his energy up through his core, and extends his arm up like a piston through Edgar’s chin to knock him out cold.
After the iconic first-round knockout, Brian “T-City” Ortega cements his status as the true top contender at 145 pounds. He will challenge Max “Blessed” Holloway as soon as the champion’s broken foot heals. With this fight on the horizon, Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov for The Lightweight Title in April, and Miocic vs. Cormier for The Heavyweight Title in June, 2018 is shaping up to be a legendary year for super fights.
