Regretful Brian Ortega Issues Apology to Yair Rodriguez and Marc Goddard After Controversial Incident During UFC Mexico

Brian Ortega returned to the winning column after a submission win over former interim champion Yair Rodríguez. However, ‘T-City’ took time to remove the submission move after Yair Rodriguez tapped out. Following the fight, Ortega made a statement regarding that situation, while revealing that he had apologized to his opponent for that indiscretion.

Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez locked horns for a 5-rounder rematch in the co-main event in UFC’s return to Mexico City. The fight went just over two rounds, and Ortega took quite the beating. However, the underdog’s submission attempt in the third round sealed the fight for him, but he was not ready to let go of the move, and referee Marc Goddard needed a few seconds to get ‘T-City’ off of Rodriguez. Let’s see what transpired after.

Brian Ortega regrets his indiscretion

The former two-time title challenger addressed the issue and mentioned that he had been having some problems with his eardrums ever since the weigh-in event. “Starting from yesterday with the weight cut, I could feel my eardrums [giving irritation]… When I went in [to fight], I kind of dove deep, and I clenched my jaw and I could not really hear anything,” said Brian Ortega.

‘T-City’ realized that what he did was not so sportsmanlike and as such, he owned up to his mistake. He also issued an apology to Marc Goddard and Yair Rodriguez after the incident at the end of the fight. “[I] just squeezed for dear life and it was like, ‘Whatever you do, don’t let go’… after I apologized to the ref and everybody else, I’m sorry,” Brian Ortega added. Meanwhile, he also mentioned that there was a little bit of hesitation in getting into the Octagon and fighting Rodriguez. Let’s see why Ortega felt that.

‘T-City’ did not want to hurt Rodriguez

Brian Ortega has a cordial relationship with Yair Rodriguez. They have spent time with each other outside the Octagon and the former two-time title challenger found it difficult to lay his hands on the Mexican star. Ortega further stated, “It was [hard fighting Rodriguez]. When you like someone and you’ve hung out with them and you know how they are in person, you don’t wanna hurt them.”

Nevertheless, Brian Ortega had a task at hand, which was to win the fight. For him to be able to do that, ‘T-City’ had a chat with his coach, who asked him to not let his emotions get the best of him. “At the same time, my coach reminded me in the back. He said, ‘Hey man, I know you’re good with him but not right now, man,'” Ortega added.

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Having won his return fight, Brian Ortega would be looking to get back into title contention soon. He has failed to capture the featherweight title twice and as such, he’d look to avoid missing out on a third time. However, we still don’t know what Dana White has planned for him next as we wait to see whom he fights following the UFC Mexico triumph.

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