Brian Ortega facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brian Ortega
Ortega in 2018
Born	Brian Martin Ortega (1991-02-21) February 21, 1991 (age 34) San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nickname(s)	T-City
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	145 lb (66 kg)
Division	Featherweight Lightweight
Reach	69 in (175 cm)
Fighting out of	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Team	Black Belt Surfing Black House MMA (formerly) Gracie University HQ (2004–present) Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Center (2019–present)
Trainer	Rener Gracie
Rank	1st degree BJJ black belt
Years active	2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	21
Wins	16
By knockout	3
By submission	8
By decision	5
Losses	4
By knockout	2
By decision	2
No contests	1

Brian Martin Ortega (born February 21, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He is known for competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Ortega has been a professional fighter since 2010. He was also the Featherweight Champion in the RFA. As of October 2024, he is ranked among the top featherweight fighters in the UFC.

Brian Ortega's Early Life

Brian Martin Ortega was born on February 21, 1991, in Los Angeles, California. His parents are from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, so Brian has both American and Mexican citizenship. He grew up in a housing area in San Pedro, California.

When Brian was 13, he started learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His father signed him up at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, California. Brian trained under coach Rener Gracie, who quickly saw how talented Brian was. When Brian's family faced money problems and couldn't pay for his training, Gracie stepped in and paid the fees himself. Brian later earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Gracie. He also got the nickname "T-City" because he often used a move called the triangle choke to win his fights.

Brian Ortega's MMA Journey

Starting His Career

At 17, Brian Ortega met boxing coach James Luhrsen. Luhrsen taught him striking skills, which helped Brian become a more complete fighter alongside his jiu-jitsu training. Brian started his career fighting in local competitions in Southern California. He won his first professional MMA championship by beating Carlos Garces. This made him the Respect in the Cage featherweight champion.

Ortega built an amazing record of 8 wins and 0 losses before he joined the UFC in April 2014. He often said that the support from James Luhrsen and Rener Gracie was key to his early success.

Fighting in the UFC

Brian Ortega was supposed to make his UFC debut in May 2014. However, his opponent got injured, so Brian's first fight was delayed.

He finally made his debut on July 26, 2014, against Mike De La Torre. Brian won this fight by submission in the first round. However, the result was later changed to "No Contest" because of an issue with a post-fight test. Brian faced a penalty and could not fight for nine months.

Ortega returned to the octagon on June 6, 2015, to face Thiago Tavares. It was a tough fight, but Brian won by TKO in the third round. Both fighters earned a "Fight of the Night" bonus for their exciting performance.

On January 2, 2016, Ortega fought Diego Brandão, who was also a skilled Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Brian was behind in the first two rounds, but he came back strong and won with a triangle choke in the third round.

At UFC 199 on June 4, 2016, Ortega defeated Clay Guida with a knockout in the third round. After winning the first round, Guida seemed to be winning the second and third. But Ortega surprised everyone with a flying knee near the end of the fight to secure the win.

Ortega was set to fight Hacran Dias in October 2016, but he had to pull out due to an injury.

His next fight was against Renato Moicano on July 29, 2017, at UFC 214. It was another exciting back-and-forth battle. Ortega won by submission in the third round using a guillotine choke. Both fighters again received a "Fight of the Night" bonus.

Ortega then faced Cub Swanson on December 9, 2017. He won this fight in the second round with a guillotine choke submission. This win meant Ortega had won five fights in a row by finishing his opponents. This was one of the longest winning streaks in the UFC featherweight division at the time. This fight also earned him both "Fight of the Night" and "Performance of the Night" awards.

Brian Ortega fought Frankie Edgar on March 3, 2018, at UFC 222. He won the fight by knockout in the first round. This was a big win because he was the first person to ever finish Edgar in an MMA fight. This victory also earned him a "Performance of the Night" bonus.

Ortega was scheduled to fight Max Holloway for the UFC Featherweight Championship in July 2018. However, Holloway had to withdraw from the fight due to health issues, so Ortega's championship chance was postponed.

The championship fight against Max Holloway finally happened on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231. Ortega lost the fight when the doctor stopped it at the end of the fourth round. This exciting match earned both fighters the "Fight of the Night" award.

Ortega was supposed to fight Chan Sung Jung in December 2019, but he had to pull out because of a knee injury. The fight against Jung eventually took place on October 18, 2020. Ortega won the fight by a clear decision after a strong performance.

Ortega was scheduled for another UFC Featherweight Championship fight against the champion, Alexander Volkanovski, in March 2021. However, the fight was canceled due to health and safety rules related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2021, it was announced that Alexander Volkanovski and Ortega would be coaches on the TV show The Ultimate Fighter 29. They coached teams of new fighters.

Ortega finally faced Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266. He lost the fight by a decision from the judges. This fight was also awarded "Fight of the Night" because it was so exciting.

Ortega fought Yair Rodríguez on July 16, 2022. He lost the fight in the first round after hurting his shoulder and being unable to continue.

After taking a break for about a year and a half, Ortega returned to fight Yair Rodríguez again on February 24, 2024. Ortega won the rematch with an arm-triangle submission in the third round. This impressive win earned him another "Performance of the Night" award.

Ortega was scheduled to fight Diego Lopes in June 2024, but he had to withdraw from the fight due to illness. The fight with Diego Lopes was rescheduled and took place on September 14, 2024. Ortega lost this fight by a decision from the judges.

Brian Ortega's Achievements

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (Five times): For his fights against Thiago Tavares, Renato Moicano, Cub Swanson, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski.
  • Performance of the Night (Three times): For his fights against Cub Swanson, Frankie Edgar, and Yair Rodriguez (second fight).
  • He has the fifth most post-fight bonuses in UFC Featherweight division history (8).
  • He is tied for the second most finishes (winning by knockout or submission) in UFC Featherweight division history (7).
  • He is tied for the second most submissions (winning by making an opponent give up) in UFC Featherweight division history (4).
• Resurrection Fighting Alliance
  • RFA Featherweight Champion (one time)
• World MMA Awards
  • 2017 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: This award recognized him as a rising star.
• MMAjunkie.com
  • 2015 June Fight of the Month: For his fight against Thiago Tavares.
  • 2021 September Fight of the Month: For his fight against Alexander Volkanovski.
• ESPN
  • 2021 Fight of the Year: For his fight against Alexander Volkanovski.
• MMA Mania
  • 2021 Fight of the Year: For his fight against Alexander Volkanovski.
• MMA Sucka
  • 2021 Fight of the Year: For his fight against Alexander Volkanovski.

Brian Ortega's Personal Life

Brian Ortega has two sons. He was engaged to fellow UFC fighter Tracy Cortez.

Brian Ortega's Fight Record

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists