Ariel Helwani: Frankie Edgar vs. Brian Ortega Close to Finalized For UFC 222; No Interim Title Fight

[Arkridge]

Via Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour.

Says the fight is "At the goal-line". Very close to being signed. Also, NOT for an interim-title.

The hangup is Ortega wants a new contract before the fight is made.

Other UFC 222 News:

Nate Diaz MAY be in play, but doesn't want to fight Eddie Alvarez. Period. The UFC wants to get a title fight on the card but isn't likely.

If they can't get a title fight for the card, next option is to make Edgar vs. Ortega the Main Event in a 5 round fight and move the card to FS1. If they can't get that fight done, the event will be cancelled outright.

 

[20falarVerdades]

Frankie is relentless !

 

[wilKO]

This needs to be for an interim belt or I'm not interested...

Spoiler

 

[ultramanhyata]

I really like Ortega but I don't see any way he wins this fight.

So I will still, eventually, have the pleasure of watching Edgar get pieced up by Max.

 

[Toco]

nice. frankie about to derail ortega brutally

 

[KGmma]

It's a PPV of course it will be an interim title

 

[PubliusVentidius]

I really like Ortega but I don't see any way he wins this fight.

So I will still, eventually, have the pleasure of watching Edgar get pieced up by Max.

Via sneaky submission Edgar doesn't even know the name of.

 

[delbosque]

Good thing they're not screwing Max. The guy actually fights.

 

[WheelOfLife]

Big props to Edgar if he takes the fight w/o an interim belt.... becoming increasingly rare to see fighters who are willing to risk losing their title shot like that.

 

[VVarhead]

This is such a great fight! I like both guys and I think it makes sense for them to fight for a #1 Contender spot.

Ortega by submission in the third.

 

[mirellale]

Shame one of them have to get eliminated.I wanted Max to beat Edgar and defend the belt against Ortega after.

 

[ArtOfDrowning]

inb4 one of them gets hurt

 

[MMA fan93]

War Edgar!

 

[neil_totally]

if this happens Ortega is taking the win. Frankie is just too unlucky with title shots at this point.

 

[ultramanhyata]

Via sneaky submission Edgar doesn't even know the name of.

Edgar will be bopping around like an epileptic rabbit. Unless Edgar goes full-retard and takes Brian down I don't see Ortega getting his hands on Frankie.

I see it ending with no real damage taken by either fighter and Edgar winning it on points.

 

[Hardcore MMA]

Edgar vs Ortega for a non-title headliner? I'll pass.

 

[The Natural Born Runner]

I really like Ortega but I don't see any way he wins this fight.

So I will still, eventually, have the pleasure of watching Edgar get pieced up by Max.

Ortega can submit anyone in that division.

 

[Joseph_McBride]

Via Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour.

Says the fight is "At the goal-line". Very close to being signed. Also, NOT for an interim-title.

The hangup is Ortega wants a new contract before the fight is made.

Other UFC 222 News:

Nate Diaz MAY be in play, but doesn't want to fight Eddie Alvarez. Period. The UFC wants to get a title fight on the card but isn't likely.

If they can't get a title fight for the card, next option is to make Edgar vs. Ortega the Main Event in a 5 round fight and move the card to FS1. If they can't get that fight done, the event will be cancelled outright.

Nate wants someone with star power lol. Aka only Conor. Nobody at 55 or 70 has anymore star power than Eddie, especially after coming off his violentweight title victory.

I love watching Nate fight, but at this point he is a semi-retired wolf ticket salesman. Shit or get off the pot ffs

 

[Failwani]

Mighty Mouse will look like a PPV king once the numbers for this one come in.

 

[Zangief HW GOAT]

Thank god.

Also, the UFC needs to learn how to rely on fighters that aren't fighting for the title but have big names.

Aldo, Colby, Swanson, Marlon Moraes, Dodson, Barboza, Werdum...the UFC has an amazing roster and needs to use it correctly.
Fuck, one of my favorite cards (UFC 139) didn't have a title fight.