Alexander Volkanovski retained his UFC featherweight title by unanimous decision over Brian Ortega in a wild and bloody brawl Saturday night at UFC 266 in Las Vegas. After the two fighters exchanged hard leg kicks early on, the action heated up in a third round that saw a battered and bloodied Ortega suddenly drop an off-balance Volkanovski with a punch then sink in a guillotine choke from mount. Volkanovski escaped but Ortega eventually snagged a tight triangle choke. Volkanovski again escaped and landed brutal punches that looked like they might stop Ortega.

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Somehow the challenger survived and came out to take Volkanovski down in the 4th going for another guillotine. Volkanovski fought it off then delivered more vicious punishment to Ortega. Amazingly, Ortega carried the fight to Volkanovski in the last round hurting him with punches but it wasn't enough as the champion took the decision.

The co-main event saw Valentina Shevchenko put on an outstanding performance mixing punches, kicks, takedowns and top control on the ground to retain her women's flyweight title over Lauren Murphy. The end came in the 4th when Shevchenko hurt Murphy with punches then took her down and pounded her until the referee halted things.