Max Holloway will be stripped of his title if he doesn’t fight at UFC 231

Max Holloway (19-3 MMA) will put his UFC featherweight title on the line against undefeated contender Brian Ortega (14-0 MMA) at UFC 231 on December 8 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

If the slated Holloway vs. Ortega fight does come to fruition at UFC 231, it will mark the first time in over a year that the Hawaiian has stepped foot inside of the octagon.

Max Holloway was last seen in action at last December’s UFC 218 event in Detroit, where he defeated Jose Aldo for a second time via third-round TKO, thus retaining his featherweight championship.

The native of Wai’anae was slated to fight Brian Ortega at July’s UFC 226 event, but was forced to withdraw from the contest due to concussion-like symptoms.

If for whatever reason “Blessed” is unable to compete at the December 8 event in Toronto, the promotion will apparently be stripping the Hawaiian of his UFC gold.

Brian Ortega announced the news in a recent interview with MMAJunkie Radio:

“I’m laser-focused on the belt at this point,” Ortega told MMAjunkie Radio. “Now, with this fight happening, we have it where if Max shows up or doesn’t show up, I’m going to have a fight for the featherweight (title) no matter what.”

The California native continued:

“This is the first time I’m letting it out right now,” he said. “Yeah, it’s in the contract. Everything is done. I will fight for the featherweight belt with or without him.

“There’s no more of me letting the fans down. If he pulls out on one days’ notice, three hours’ notice, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to show up and it’s going to be for the featherweight belt and it’s going to be main event. Dec. 8, that’s the goal. UFC 231. Toronto.”

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