UFC 266: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega Recap

UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega was a very exciting card. Both of the reigning champs defended their titles once again this past Saturday in an overall exhilarating card. Read below for my recap of the two title bouts: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy and Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega. 

UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy - Co-Main

Unshockingly, the queen Bullet secured her sixth Flyweight title once again. In my UFC Prediction, I took Valentina Shevchenko to win inside the distance at -250/-275 via BetOnline (Sportsbook Review). 

The at your Top Sportsbooks were: Valentina Shevchenko -1800 and Lauren Murphy +850

In my mind, if Valentina could finish a vigorous opponent like Jessica Andrade by T/KO in the second round, then she can definitely get the job done inside the distance with Murphy. I do give Murphy a ton of credit for making it as far as the fourth round though. It simply proved how tough of a woman she is. 

The beginning of the matchup started off with both women reading their opponent. Murphy appeared hesitant by keeping her distance; Shevchenko led with a hook to attempt to close the distance. 

Shevchenko was quick and eager to get strikes in since it showed in her aggression. She was laying down kicks and hooks; Murphy was not responding with any strikes. To end the first round, Shevchenko grabbed a body lock to bring Murphy down to the mat.

In the second round, Shevchenko was very confident. Murphy started off a bit more aggressive in the beginning of the second, but Shevchenko forced an early clinch; Murphy stuffed the takedown to try to aim for her own single-leg, but Shevchenko escaped. 

Murphy was definitely trying to get more strikes landed in this round, but everytime she closed the distance, Shevchenko would rock her with a heavy strike. 

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Shevchenko gained another takedown, worked in top half, was aiming for a crucifix, but decided to reposture and land some heavy elbows on top. 

We now enter the third round. It has been clear this far how behind Murphy is in points since she was dominated in every aspect of this fight. Shevchenko was in full control; she controlled the distance perfectly - every time Murphy stepped in, Shevchenko would crack her.

At this point of the fight, Murphy’s face was banged up and swelling up. And with Shevchenko picking up her striking volume in this round, it overall did not seem good for Murphy. The third was mainly a striking match, until towards the end, Shevchenko entered the clinch and took the back of Murphy until the horn. 

Finally, we enter the fourth, and Murphy’s corner was basically giving her advice on how to survive this fight. Shevchenko came out controlling the distance again, and was still increasing her striking volume - you could tell she wanted to finish this fight. 

Shevchenko released her kicks to the body and legs; jumping front kicks that barely missed. She cracked Murphy to wobble her; Murphy was running away while Shevchenko was unleashing shots on her. Shevchenko grabbed a takedown and layed down heavy elbows until referee Keith Peterson stopped the fight at 4 minutes into the fourth. 

Overall, Shevchenko finished off the night with 98 total significant strikes and 3 takedowns, while Murphy landed 11 total significant strikes. 

This was Murphy’s first career loss inside the distance, and she decided to come back to the octagon after a well-deserved vacation. The future is still bright for both fighters, but my main question is, will there be a female flyweight fighter that will be able to remove the relentless Valentina Shevchenko from her throne any time soon? Probably not.

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UFC Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega - Main Event

If you want to talk about an amazing fight, let’s talk about the main event title bout that was awarded Fight of the Night between Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega. 

The were Alexander Volkanovski -185 and Brian Ortega +150 at your Top Sportsbooks. 

Heading into this fight, Volkanovski was head strong and confident in his ability to defend his belt. To start off the fight, Volk was working his low inside kicks and Ortega utilizing his jabs - both trying to gain control. Volk overcomes Ortega to gain control and keep him on the outside. 

Volk was consistent with his heavy leg kicks while also keeping a tight defense. Ortega was still trying to find his range. But the first round ended with Volkanovski feinting, throwing kicks while Ortega caught them. Back and forth movement to end a competitive first round. 

Second round - Ortega needed to pick it up this round since Volkanovski can “easily” win a technical bout. Ortega found a pattern with Volk and was able to respond - every time Volk threw a right body kick, Ortega would catch it and counter with some punches. 

Volkanovski consistently worked the body while Ortega focused on his jab and counter; Ortega was focusing on straight line attacks while Volkanovski was angling. This was another competitive round, however, Ortega’s momentum seemed to have died down a bit. 

The third round came about and Ortega got hurt! Volkanovski was pushing forwards while Ortega was trying to shake off the hits. Volkcanovski was swinging hard and connecting, making Ortega’s face swollen and busted. But before you know it, Volkanovski fell back and Ortega jumped on a guillotine choke!! 

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I thought it was game over for Volk since Ortega was squeezing and you could see him in trouble! Volkanvoski escaped, scrambled, and got on top of Ortega; he hammered down with strikes!!

Ortega threw up a triangle and was deep until the champ escaped to hammer down shots until the round ended!! What an amazing round. 

The doctors checked Ortega’s eye in between rounds and let him continue, but he looked exhausted;; Volkanovski still looked fresh and applied forward pressure. 

Ortega took a clinch and secured a takedown before attempting another guillotine choke, but Volkanovski had the fight IQ to know Ortega’s game plan and got in top half. Volkanovski poured down punches and elbows again while Ortega tried to work for a submission.

The fight could have been stopped again! Herb Dean was watching the fight closely while Volkanovski was landing powerful shots. His cardio has been on point and he even increased his output! The round ends on the feet with Ortega all bloody and bruised. 

At the start of the fifth, Ortega did not look well while Volkanovski looked as if he could go another full five rounds. Volkanovski was heavy with his combos; Ortega grabbed a leg for a takedown but Volkanovski was able to stuff it with ease. 

The champ landed some elbows, then Ortega found the energy to push forward, swinging as hard as he could. Both fighters are now landing big shots towards the end; Ortega is pushing as much as he could with forward strikes to end the round. Alexander Volkanovski was declared the winner by unanimous decision. 

This was a fight definitely worthy of the Fight of the Night bonus. In my UFC Prediction, I grabbed Alexander Volkanovski by points +120 via BetOnline (Sportsbook Review). I predicted Volkanovski’s path to victory would be a striking battle, while Ortega’s path to victory would’ve been on the ground. He almost had his moment in the third round, but the champ was tough enough to withhold any submission attempt. Marvelous matchup overall. 

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Closing Remarks and What’s Next?

There were only a couple of dog-winners on this UFC 266 card. Those winners were: Jonathan Pearce (+135), Jalin Turner (+100). 

Up next in the UFC, we have UFC Vegas 38: Thiago Santos vs. Johnny Walker on Saturday, October 2nd at the UFC Apex. 

This will not be another card like this previous weekend at UFC 266, but there will still be some great matchups: Bethe Correia vs. Karol Rosa, Antonina Shevchenko vs. Casey O’Neill, Misha Cirkunov vs. Kryzsztof Jotko, Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus in the co-main, and many more. 

Stay tuned to our weekly UFC Picks and Predictions show on SBR’s YouTube channel - David Manyun and our special guests share with you all of their top picks on the entire main card and their favorite pick(s) from the preliminary card.