Alexander Volkanovski blasts ‘drug cheat’ Brian Ortega over 2014 failed test during heated face-off at UFC 266 press conference as featherweight champion insists rival ‘doesn’t deserve to be here’
- Alexander Volkanovski has ramped up his war of words with Brian Ortega
- The Australian, 32, defends his featherweight title in the main event at UFC 266
- Volkanovski blasted ‘unprofessional’ and ‘weak’ 145-pound rival Ortega
- He said Ortega’s 2014 failed drugs test in 2014 makes him undeserving of title
Alexander Volkanovski ramped up his war of words with rival Brian Ortega ahead of their UFC 266 clash as the featherweight champion insisted his ‘drug cheating’ rival did not deserve to face him in Las Vegas.
Ortega, 30, is making his second tilt at the 145-pound belt having put himself in prime position for a shot after losing out to former champion Max Holloway in December 2018.
The American has long been among the top featherweight contenders, but Volkanovski believes Ortega’s failed drugs test in 2014 for drostanolone use means he is not deserving of his place at the top table.
Alexander Volkanovski blasted ‘drug cheat’ Brian Ortega during an intense head to head
The featherweight contender tested positive for steroid use after his UFC debut in 2014
After exchanging verbals during the UFC 266 press conference, Volkanovski let his feelings be known during an intense face off in front of UFC president Dana White.
‘I ain’t scared of you. We are going in the cage anyway… Mate, I didn’t know about you popping, that s*** don’t sit well with me, you don’t deserve to be here. You are a f*****g drug cheat, that’s it, done.’
The Australian’s rivalry with the American has intensified over recent months with the pair going head-to-head in the most latest series of The Ultimate Fighter.
The Australian says Ortega’s 2014 failed test means he is not deserving of the title fight
Volkanovski, 32, reflected that Ortega’s lack of ‘professionalism’ during filming stood out to him, and that his use of performance enhancing drugs was a sign of ‘weakness’.
‘To be honest [he is] unprofessional and [there is] weakness,’ he said.
‘What upsets me most is [he is] unprofessional, I put the hard yards in my whole life, especially in this career, that is how I got this belt.
‘He half-a**ed it, turns up to training late, you name it I just see weakness. Obviously showed weakness a few years back for popping, juicing, s*** like that. That annoys me, it’s not professional and I ain’t about that s***.’