1. Brian Martin Ortega was born on February 21,1991 and is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
34 Facts About Brian Ortega
1. 2.
Brian Ortega was born on February 21,1991, in Los Angeles, California.
3.
Brian Ortega has both American and Mexican citizenships as his parents hailed from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
4.
Brian Ortega grew up in a Section 8 housing project of San Pedro, California.
5.
When Brian Ortega was 13 he began learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu after his father enlisted him at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, California.
6.
Brian Ortega started training under head coach Rener Gracie who saw great potential in him.
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When Brian Ortega was 17, he met boxing coach James Luhrsen, who trained him in striking skills to complement the ground work Brian Ortega was learning with Gracie.
8.
Brian Ortega began his career competing for regional promotions exclusively in Southern California.
9.
Brian Ortega won his first pro-MMA championship against Carlos Garces in a five-round bout via unanimous decision, becoming the Respect in the Cage featherweight champion.
10.
Brian Ortega credited his success to support and love from James Luhrsen and Rener Gracie.
11.
Brian Ortega was expected to make his promotional debut against Diego Brandao on May 31,2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale.
12.
Brian Ortega eventually made his debut on July 26,2014, at UFC on Fox 12 against Mike De La Torre.
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Subsequently, Brian Ortega was fined $2,500 and suspended for nine months.
14.
Brian Ortega faced Thiago Tavares on June 6,2015, at UFC Fight Night 68.
15.
Brian Ortega won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the third round.
16.
Brian Ortega faced Diego Brandao, who is a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, on January 2,2016, at UFC 195.
17.
At UFC 199 on June 4,2016, Brian Ortega defeated Clay Guida by KO in the third round.
18.
Brian Ortega was expected to face Hacran Dias on October 1,2016, at UFC Fight Night 96.
19.
Brian Ortega next faced Renato Moicano on July 29,2017, at UFC 214.
20.
Brian Ortega won the back and forth fight via submission in the third round with a guillotine choke, while both fighters were awarded Fight of the Night bonus.
21.
Brian Ortega faced Cub Swanson on December 9,2017, at UFC Fight Night 123.
22.
Brian Ortega was victorious in the fight, winning in the second round by guillotine choke submission.
23.
Brian Ortega faced Frankie Edgar on March 3,2018, at UFC 222.
24.
Brian Ortega won the fight via knockout in the first round.
25.
Brian Ortega was scheduled to face Max Holloway for the UFC Featherweight Championship on July 7,2018, at UFC 226.
26.
Brian Ortega lost the fight by doctor stoppage at the end of the fourth round.
27.
Brian Ortega was scheduled to face Chan Sung Jung on December 21,2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 23.
28.
Brian Ortega was scheduled for a UFC Featherweight Championship bout against current UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski on March 27,2021, at UFC 260.
29.
Brian Ortega faced Alexander Volkanovski on September 25,2021, at UFC 266 for the UFC Featherweight Championship.
30.
Brian Ortega faced Yair Rodriguez on July 16,2022, at UFC on ABC 3.
31.
Brian Ortega won the fight via arm-triangle submission in the third round.
32.
Brian Ortega was scheduled to face Diego Lopes in a Lightweight bout on June 29,2024, at UFC 303.
33.
Subsequently, the day of the event, Brian Ortega withdrew from the bout due to an illness and was replaced at the last minute by Dan Ige.
34.
Brian Ortega was engaged to fellow UFC fighter Tracy Cortez.