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Yesterday, it was reported and confirmed that UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway had pulled out of UFC 226 due to a sudden onset of ‘concussion-like symptoms’.
Holloway, who is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, was expected to defend his featherweight title against surging contender Brian Ortega in the co-main event but was rushed to the hospital after showing signs of slurred speech and impaired vision after Wednesday’s open workouts.
The UFC have yet to release a statement on the matter and haven’t revealed whether Ortega will stay on the card.
Fighters reacted to the news on social media and wished Holloway a healthy recovery. Check out some of the tweets below, including from former two-division champion Conor McGregor.
My thoughts and my respect are with 145lb World Champion Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 5, 2018
@BlessedMMA god bless you bro feel better soon!
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) July 5, 2018
Terrible news! Heal up quick champ @BlessedMMA! #UFC226 https://t.co/yXJ1rm20xB
— BJ Penn (@bjpenndotcom) July 5, 2018
All the best to @BlessedMMA and wish him a speedy and full recovery. Big fights come go but we only have one body. Health and safety is the most important thing.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 5, 2018
As someone who knows the dangers of this sport very well, my thoughts and well wishes are with @BlessedMMA and his family. Hopefully this passes quickly and we get to see him doing what he does best very soon.
— michael (@bisping) July 5, 2018
This shit is real. The guy has a family. Symptoms like that are nothing take lightly. Rest up @BlessedMMA everyone already knows your a bad ass you don’t need to prove that. #UFC226 https://t.co/JBU6EicGih
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) July 5, 2018
My guess would be @FrankieEdgar to replace @BlessedMMA
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) July 5, 2018
DAMN !!!!!!!! https://t.co/7Et23jW3IY
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) July 5, 2018
Showtime vs Ortega at 55
— Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) July 5, 2018
I feel so bad for Max. This was huge for him. Hope nothing permanent is going on. #ufc226 https://t.co/NfVDsaDBbN
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) July 5, 2018
Damn. Hope Holloway is ok. Fighters safety is always paramount and wish him a speedy recovery. #UFC226 https://t.co/GTvZL0zDqM
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) July 5, 2018
Disappointed to hear @BlessedMMA is out of #ufc226 but glad to see fighter safety being a priority
— Cris Cyborg #CyborgNation (@criscyborg) July 5, 2018
Gutted for @BlessedMMA, he’s a true champ fighting with his people to let him show up knowing he wasn’t well. Heal up max, everyone will be waiting patiently for your return!
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) July 5, 2018
Keep your head up Champ, I know what it is, believe in yourself. @BlessedMMA
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 5, 2018
The heavyweight bout between top-five contenders Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis has been temporarily bumped up to the co-main event and Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier are still expected to collide for the heavyweight title in the main event.
UFC 226 takes places this Saturday, July 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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