UFC 266 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Ortega latest updates and result tonight
Re-live all the action from Las Vegas
Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight title against Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC 266 on Satuurday Night, as the pair produced arguably the greatest championship bout in the history of the division.
After 25 engrossing minutes of mixed martial arts, Australian Volkanovski (23-1) defeated American Ortega (15-2, 1 no contest) via unanimous decision, with the judges in Las Vegas revealing 49-46, 40-45 and 45-44 scorecards in the champion’s favour.
Over the course of five rounds, Volkanovski got the better of his challenger in the majority of the striking exchanges, but the champion was forced to escape four submission attempts that all seemed certain to spell the end of the 32-year-old’s title reign. Three of those holds were applied in a stunning third round. Ultimately, Volkanovski fought free and re-established his superiority to win over the judges and keep his belt.
In the co-main event of UFC 266, Valentina Shevchenko (22-3) made a sixth successful defence of her flyweight title by stopping Lauren Murphy (15-5) with ground and pound in the fourth round. Prior to that, MMA icon Nick Diaz – older brother of Nate – had made his return to the sport after six years away. seventeen years after his welterweight bout against Robbie Lawler, Diaz took on his fellow Californian in a middleweight rematch. Lawler, 39, the fight via third-round TKO, with the 38-year-old Diaz deciding against continuing after he was floored by a right hook.
Re-live updates from UFC 266 below.
UFC 266: Hooker vs Haqparast
“We gotta knock him out. Blitz him.”
That’s the message from Haqparast’s coach Firas Zahabi!
GSP also in the corner.
UFC 266: Hooker vs Haqparast
Hooker clinches Haqparast against the fence and lands some nasty knees to the body! Beautiful.
He also sends Haqparast’s mouthguard flying...
The pair separate in space. Hooker looks so sharp right now. He’s evading shots so fluidly.
He grapples his opponent against the fence once more, then secures a takedown!
Hooker ends the second round in control.
UFC 266: Hooker vs Haqparast
Haqparast lands a clean one-two! But Hooker is undeterred, still pressing forward and throwing kicks.
Haqparast tries for another counter left, and Hooker slips – no knockdown.
After his devastating KO loss to Chandler in January and the post-fight moment in which Hooker left his gloves in the Octagon, it’s nice to see the ‘Hangman’ seemingly so relaxed and confident here.
He ends the first round seeking a single-leg takedown, which Haqparast defends well.
UFC 266: Hooker vs Haqparast
A great crowd reaction for Hooker.
The New Zealander was forced to circle the Octagon for the majority of his brief encounter with Chandler in January, but here it’s the ‘Hangman’ who takes the centre of the ring.
He flicks out low kicks and teep kicks to the body, while Haqparast looks for big counter left hands.
UFC 266: Hooker vs Haqparast
On top of his visa troubles, Haqparast’s mother died very recently. The German has made no secret of the fact that he was extremely close with her, so here’s hoping he is able to clear his head in the Octagon this evening.
UFC 266
Backstage, Nick Diaz arrives in his locker room ahead of his rematch with Robbie Lawler.
Who’s there to greet him? Old rival Georges St-Pierre, who was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this weekend!
Surely GSP isn’t going to be in Diaz’s corner tonight...?
UFC 266: Hooker vs Haqparast
It’s remarkable that this next fight is even taking place.
Both New Zealand’s Dan Hooker and Germany’s Nasrat Haqparast had visa issues this week.
Somehow, both men were able to make it to Las Vegas and make weight for their lightweight encounter.
Hooker’s last outing came in January, when he was knocked out by Michael Chandler in the first round of his opponent’s UFC debut, on the undercard of McGregor vs Poirier II.
Haqparast, meanwhile, outpointed Rafa Garcia in his last bout, in March.
UFC 266: Daukaus def. Abdurakhimov
Happy birthday Chris Daukaus! What a way to celebrate for the No10-ranked heavyweight, who will surely climb the rankings come Monday morning.
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