Brian Ortega made a triumphant return to fighting after a hiatus since July 2022, scoring a third-round submission of Yair Rodriguez despite being hurt in the opening round and potentially injuring his ankle upon entering the octagon.
Brian Ortega’s done it. Again. He’s a fighter with a knack for the dramatic, and he’s just proven it. His first fight since July 2022, and he’s won. He’s beaten Yair Rodriguez with a third-round submission that’s left everyone stunned.
This wasn’t just a win for Ortega. It was a comeback. He had to fight back from a brutal first round. He was hurt, badly. And then there was the ankle. He twisted it just after stepping into the octagon.
But Ortega didn’t let that stop him. He was bloody, battered, and knocked down by Rodriguez in the first round. But he’s got grit. He’s got elite grappling skills. He’s absurdly tough. And he showed all of that in Round 2. He took control.
Round 3 started, and Ortega was on fire. He scored a takedown early on. Then, he didn’t waste any time. He got Rodriguez in an arm-triangle choke. The fight was over. Ortega had his first win since October 2020.
His peers? They were more than impressed. They were blown away. The praise started flooding in on social media. Here are some of the best reactions.
“T City gets it done in Mexico City,” tweeted Megan Anderson. “All he needed to do was get the fight to the ground, and it was just a matter of time.”
Terrance McKinney was amazed by Ortega’s toughness. “Twisted his ankle at opening bell and still finished in the third against Yair what a savage,” he tweeted.
Derek Brunson was in awe of Ortega’s heart. “Ortega what a ******* g DOG. Heart he always shows!” he tweeted.
Kenny Florian praised Ortega’s comeback. “Ortega showed insane grit coming back from a rough round 1 and perhaps an even rougher last couple years. Clean sub and superior conditioning,” he tweeted.
Billy Quarantillo acknowledged Ortega’s struggle. “That was a huge win for Ortega, wasn’t lookin good early especially with that ankle thing,” he tweeted.
Brunson also noticed Ortega’s injury. “Did Ortega just hurt himself warming up,” he tweeted.
McKinney also saw the twist. “Oh hell nah y’all peep Brodie twist his ankle,” he tweeted.
Jamahal Hill was shocked. “Did bro just mess his ankle up hopping around during announcements?!” he tweeted.
Megan Anderson respected Ortega’s comeback. “Brian Ortega hasn’t fought in over a year and a half, comes back in a 5 round co-main against Yair Rodriguez at elevation.. Much respect,” she tweeted.