UFC 266 results: Alexander Volkanovski wins a war over Brian Ortega to retain featherweight title

Going into their UFC 266 main event clash, Alexander Volkanovski made it clear he didn't like Brian Ortega after their coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter.

Volkanovski's disdain and Ortega's slick submissions combined with both guys featuring the heart of champions made it one of the best fights in featherweight history. But there had to be a winner, and it was Volkanovski, who won by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 49-46) to retain the 145-pound championship from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. DAZN News had the fight scored 48-47 for Volkanovski.

“I’m a normal human being. Just hard work got me to where I am,” Volkanovski said in his post-fight interview. “Sky’s the limit for any of you. All them doubters, I’m going to keep proving you wrong time and time again.”

After a back-and-forth opening two rounds, the third ended up being one of the greatest rounds in UFC history.

Ortega dropped Volkanovski with a glancing blow. Then, the two-time featherweight title challenger jumped on Volkanovski and snatched in a mounted guillotine. Ortega squeezed as hard as he could and appeared to be moments away from a submission victory and winning UFC gold for the first time. But Volkanovski slipped out. It wouldn't be the last time the champion was in a compromising position.

Volkanovski unloaded a series of vicious ground and pound punches. Amid the chaos, Ortega threw his legs up and snatched in a triangle choke. Again, it appeared Volkanovski would tap out. However, "The Great" showed mental toughness and somehow escaped from the jaws of defeat. From there, it was all Volkanovski as he blasted with a series of shots in the final moments of the round. The crowd roared when both guys made their way back to their respective corners. 

Ortega looked to be spent entering the fourth round. However, he had a little more in the tank as in the early part of the stanza, he attempted to lock in another guillotine choke, but Volkanovski wasn't in any danger this time. Volkanovski made it back to his feet and beat on Ortega for the remainder of the round. 

In the fifth and final round, Ortega dug down deep and left every single drop of energy he had left inside the octagon. Volkanovski was firing with shots of his own to survive the final barrage and retain the belt for the second time and extend his overall winning streak to 20. The crowd gave a standing ovation to Volkanovski and Ortega for their warrior spirit in the 25-minute affair. 

“He’s good,” Volkanovski said about Ortega. “I thought I was in his head, and then he came back even stronger. I feel like an idiot saying some of the things I did cause he proved himself.”

Here is what happened at UFC 266.