ROUNDTABLE: Staff predictions for Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega UFC 231 main event

By Michael Hiscoe, Managing Editor

Dec 7, 2018; Toronto, ON, Canada; Max Holloway poses next to Brian Ortega as they weigh in during weigh-ins for UFC 231 at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Who do you think will win between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega at UFC 231?

Sean Covington, Columnist – Covington’s Corner

Edgar is 3-2 in his last five fights; two of those fights were against Jeremy Stephens-washed up gatekeeper and Cub Swanson washed up gatekeeper. I’m glad someone finally knocked Edgar out but it was a long time coming. Overconfidence is Brian Ortega’s worst enemy because his win over an over the hill Frankie Edgar didn’t answer any real questions for me.

Brian Ortega shouldn’t really be getting this shot to be honest. Max Holloway has got every tool he needs to put Ortega away. I got Max beating the breaks off of Ortega for an easy win; I just thinks it’s a couple fights too soon for Ortega.

Frank Hyden, Columnist – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

I’m going with Holloway. Until I see someone beat Holloway I’m not going to pick against him. I know Ortega is tough and great in his own right, but I think Holloway is one of the Top 5 fighters in the world, maybe Top 3, and Ortega isn’t. I don’t mean that as an insult to Ortega but that’s how impressive Holloway has been. I think Holloway wins by TKO late in the 4th round.

Christian Moore, MMATorch Contributor

So Option A is Holloway and Option B is Ortega. However, I don’t think those are out options. Holloway pulls out again, and we see Moicano vs Ortega, and we see a repeat of their first fight, with Ortega winning in the 3rd, and a new champ. If Holloway does make it to the show, I see him losing by rear-naked choke in Round 2, with Holloway feigning, and a new champ. There is something seriously wrong with Holloway, I just hope we figure it out before it gets worse.


NEXT: WHO SHOULD GET THE NEXT WELTERWEIGHT TITLE SHOT, COLBY COVINGTON OR KAMARU USMAN?


Michael Hiscoe, MMATorch Managing Editor

There are so many question marks with Max Holloway right now. Yes he made weight, but what did it take out of him? What the hell happened this summer when he had to pull out of the Ortega fight the first time? Can he still go after a year on a shelf and a couple of false starts? We’ll find out Saturday night but I don’t have confidence in him until he proves me otherwise. I think Brian Ortega shows up ready to go and manages a decision victory by out grappling a slow to start Holloway.

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