UFC 266 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Ortega latest updates and result tonight
Re-live all the action from Las Vegas
Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight title against Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC 266 on Satuurday Night, as the pair produced arguably the greatest championship bout in the history of the division.
After 25 engrossing minutes of mixed martial arts, Australian Volkanovski (23-1) defeated American Ortega (15-2, 1 no contest) via unanimous decision, with the judges in Las Vegas revealing 49-46, 40-45 and 45-44 scorecards in the champion’s favour.
Over the course of five rounds, Volkanovski got the better of his challenger in the majority of the striking exchanges, but the champion was forced to escape four submission attempts that all seemed certain to spell the end of the 32-year-old’s title reign. Three of those holds were applied in a stunning third round. Ultimately, Volkanovski fought free and re-established his superiority to win over the judges and keep his belt.
In the co-main event of UFC 266, Valentina Shevchenko (22-3) made a sixth successful defence of her flyweight title by stopping Lauren Murphy (15-5) with ground and pound in the fourth round. Prior to that, MMA icon Nick Diaz – older brother of Nate – had made his return to the sport after six years away. seventeen years after his welterweight bout against Robbie Lawler, Diaz took on his fellow Californian in a middleweight rematch. Lawler, 39, the fight via third-round TKO, with the 38-year-old Diaz deciding against continuing after he was floored by a right hook.
Re-live updates from UFC 266 below.
UUFC 266: Diaz vs Lawler II report
Nick Diaz’s UFC 266 return ends in third-round defeat by Robbie Lawler
After six years away, the fan favourite lost a rematch 17 years in the making
UFC 266: Main event report
Alexander Volkanovski survives submission scares to beat Brian Ortega and keep title
The main event of UFC 266 was an instant classic for the featherweight gold, following Nick Diaz’s losing return to the sport and Valentina Shevchenko’s successful flyweight defence
UFC 266: Volkanovski def. Ortega
And still!
Alexander Volkanovski def. Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-44).
UFC 266: Volkanovski vs Ortega
A back-and-forth final round, with Ortega landing a significant number of straight shots on a pressuring Volkanovski!
The champion is risking the win and his belt here...
Ortega with his best flurry in the final 20 seconds, but Volkanovski makes it to the buzzer!
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
UFC 266: Volkanovski vs Ortega
Final round!
Volkanovski blocks a couple of head kicks and lands some clean punches.
Per his corner’s instruction, Ortega shoots for a takedown, but it’s defended successfully.
UFC 266: Volkanovski vs Ortega
Ortega is checked by a medic... and just about passes the examination.
He and Volkanovski trade punches, before Ortega secures a body lock and trip against the fence! He goes for another guillotine!
But Volkanovski keeps calm and gives referee Herb Dean a thumbs-up, before escaping the hold again!
He’s on top and raining down strikes!
UFC 266: Volkanovski vs Ortega
An accidental clash of heads has busted up Ortega’s nose. His face is a mess now...
Volkanovski with no sympathy. The Australian lands a beautiful right-left hook combo!
But, almost out of nowhere, Ortega snatches a guillotine! It’s in so tight!
The champ is going to tap, surely... NO! He somehow slips out!
Ortega now goes for a D’Arce choke! Again, it looks to be in, but SOMEHOW Volkanovski stays calm and escapes...
He pours on ground and pound but gets over-eager and is caught in a triangle choke, Ortega’s signature submission!
This one also seems to spell the end but AGAIN Volkanovski escapes! What!
He ends the round by battering Ortega from above! WHAT A ROUND!
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