Max, and a lot of fighters "slur" their words. Did he seem anymore "concussed" then any other fighter for 226? Not imo. Stipe always sounds/looks like he's half asleep to me.
I've said this several times, I wonder if him making weight was going to be an issue, and MAYBE this was a safer way to save face. I'm not saying Max is ducking Ortega, but missing weight twice in a row (Habib), especially in a title fight, looks very very bad...this concussion thing is a much easier option. But, who knows for sure.