One of the most dangerous submission artists in UFC Featherweight history. His triangle choke is his signature but hes also used arm triangles to submit Yair Rodriguez and has never been submitted in UFC. Has gone to war with Holloway, Volkanovski, and others — fought Volkanovski with two deep submission attempts and came back from a dislocated shoulder vs Yair to win the rematch. Now 35, past his prime form-wise (4 losses in last 5) but still has the skills to catch anyone.
Physical Profile
StanceOrthodox
Height175 cm
Reach71 inches
Record16-5 (UFC: 8-5)
Fighting Style
Pure BJJ black belt with submission mastery. His triangle choke is a signature — "T-City" came from his use of it. Has developed solid boxing to complement his grappling. Always comes to fight; multiple Fight of the Night bonuses. Has had severe injury/weight cut issues in recent years but still dangerous at 35.
Strengths
- Triangle choke — best in UFC; has submitted multiple opponents with it; his signature move
- Submission defense — never been submitted in UFC; excellent scrambler
- BJJ IQ — reads opportunities on the ground; will catch you if you give him any space
- Chin — has taken massive damage from Holloway, Volkanovski and kept coming forward
- Cardio — goes 5 hard rounds; never gasses
- Heart — fought Volkanovski with two deep submission attempts; came back from dislocated shoulder vs Yair
Weaknesses
- Striking defense — takes big shots; got TKOd by Yair Rodriguez and badly hurt by Holloway
- Recent form — 4 losses in last 5; clearly past his prime at 35 years old
- Weight cut issues — passed out during weight cut for UFC Shanghai; hospitalized
- Durability — multiple injuries and surgeries have slowed him; now 35
- Takedown offense — not a great wrestler; mostly relies on opponent mistakes and BJJ
- Stopped power — only 1 KO in UFC; mostly decisions and submissions
Style Tendencies
- Looks to pull guard and work from bottom — very comfortable from any position
- Waits for mistakes on the ground and capitalizes immediately
- Good boxing when standing but will look to drag fights to the ground
- Takes damage to stay in fights — chin is durable but striking defense is a concern
Recent Form
1-4 in his last 5 — losses to Lopes, Sterling, Moicano, and two to Volkanovski. The win was the Yair Rodriguez rematch at UFC Fight Night 237.
Key Fights
WIN
Yair Rodriguez (UFC Fight Night 237)
SUB (arm triangle R3)
Won rematch after losing via shoulder dislocation in first fight — Feb 2024
LOSS
Diego Lopes (UFC 306)
UD
Lost to future title challenger — Sep 2024
LOSS
Aljamain Sterling (UFC Fight Night 257)
UD
Catchweight; weight cut issues — Aug 2025
LOSS
Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 266)
UD
FW title shot; Fight of the Night — Sep 2021
LOSS
Max Holloway (UFC 231)
TKO (doctor stoppage R4)
FW title shot; Fight of the Night — Dec 2018
Dont go to the ground — his BJJ is elite and any scramble is dangerous. Use high-volume point-fighting to outscore on the feet. Target the body with shots to hurt his cardio. If you do take it to the ground, control from top and dont give him any space to work.
Standing
High-volume striking at range — dont engage in his pace. Target the body to disrupt his cardio. He fades if you can break his pace over 5 rounds.
Clinch
If clinching, control position and look for short strikes. Dont let him establish grips or work for submissions.
Ground
If on top, control and stay heavy. If on bottom, fight to standing immediately — dont give him any space to hunt submissions.
Key Instructions
- Stay standing at all costs — any ground exchange with Ortega is dangerous
- Target the body with high-volume striking to break his cardio
- Dont let him establish BJJ positions — even from guard he hunts submissions
- If he does take you down, work immediately to standing — dont give him submission angles
⚠ This report is based on publicly available fight data and AI analysis. Not financial or medical advice.