Interviewer noticed something wrong with UFC champ Holloway before he was pulled from fight
Featherweight champion Max Holloway has been pulled from his title fight against Brian Ortega at UFC 226 due to symptoms of an apparent concussion.
The UFC confirmed the decision Thursday, one day after Holloway’s management team said he wouldn’t fight Saturday at the UFC’s biggest show of the summer.
Holloway made two trips to the emergency room this week after his coaches and management noticed he was acting in an unusual manner.
Before reports broke that Holloway would be dropping out of the fight, he appeared on FS1’s “UFC Tonight” for an interview that now makes much more sense.
Holloway, whose nickname is “blessed” and is known for being energetic, appeared lethargic and even slurred some of his words.
“Max, you say you feel great, don’t be offended when I say this, but you look like you just got out of bed,” Bisping said. “Are you tired? What’s going on? How’s the weight cut? Are you drained? You look a little sleepy.”
“I’m good man, I’m good. A little bit tired. They got me doing a bunch of media stuff, but I’ll be fine,” Holloway answered.
After it became apparent Holloway would be withdrawing from the fight due to medical issues, Bisping took to Twitter and said, “I couldn’t ignore it.”
I couldn’t ignore it. https://t.co/1tr0iGfrdP
— michael (@bisping) July 5, 2018
As someone who knows the dangers of this sport very well, my thoughts and well wishes are with @BlessedMMA and his family. Hopefully this passes quickly and we get to see him doing what he does best very soon.
— michael (@bisping) July 5, 2018
Ortega won’t fight a replacement opponent at UFC 226. The unbeaten challenger is likely to wait for a title shot at Holloway later this year.
Mike Perry’s bout with Paul Felder has been elevated to the pay-per-view portion of the UFC 226 show.
Heavyweights Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis will replace Holloway and Ortega as the event’s penultimate bout.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
