UFC 226: Max Holloway Showing Concussion-Like Symptoms, Out Of Brian Ortega Fight

Featherweight champion Max Holloway has pulled out of his UFC 226 co-main event title defense against Brian Ortega after showing concussion-like symptoms.

UFC 226 takes place on Saturday and was expected to be one of the biggest cards of the year, headlined by a champion vs. champion super fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier for the heavyweight title.

The co-main event was equally as intriguing as Holloway, riding an impressive 12-fight win streak, was to defend his 145-pound strap against the unbeaten Ortega, who has seen his stock exponentially rise in the space of a year.

However, as is the trend with big UFC title fights, particularly during International Fight Week, it is now called off as ESPN's Ariel Helwani reported the news on Twitter Wednesday night.

"Max's team and UFC staff noticed Max was not normal since late last week," Helwani's post read. "This became obvious to many watching his interviews and public appearances the past few days. He was showing concussion like symptoms before he even started his weight cut and was rushed to the ER on Monday where they admitted him overnight. Initial scans seemed okay and he was released Tuesday afternoon but symptoms still continued."

"Max fought with his team to continue with the fight. He showed some improvement over the next day but was still showing obvious symptoms. After open workouts, he crashed and was very hard to wake up. When he did, he had flashing vision and slurred speech. He is now back in the ER for further tests," he said.

It comes as a big blow for all parties. This will now be the second title defense that Holloway has pulled out of after a leg injury ruled him out of his clash with Frankie Edgar at UFC 223 in March.

Helwani adds that Ortega, who will now miss out on a chance for title glory on one of the biggest cards of the year, found out about the news soon after but it is unclear if he will remain on the card.

The UFC are unlikely to find a short-notice replacement to fight the 27-year-old, and even if they do, they are unlikely to generate any major interest.

After the news emerged, social media picked up on a UFC Tonight appearance by Holloway earlier in the day where former middleweight champion and analyst Michael Bisping notably questioned the Hawaiian's appearance.

His pullout also marks the 17th UFC co-main or main event change in the calendar year so far.