Brian Ortega was supposed to fight at UFC 226, where, if all went according to plan, he’d have celebrated the biggest moment of his career. Instead, he was relegated to being a spectator.

That’s because Ortega (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) stood his ground following the sudden withdrawal of featherweight champ Max Holloway from their planned co-headliner in the middle of fight week. Holloway (19-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) was forced out with concussion-like symptoms last Wednesday night, leaving Ortega in an unfortunate position.

During a press conference the next day at Pearl Theatre at The Palms in Las Vegas, UFC President Dana White said the promotion tried to make a fight on three days’ notice between Ortega and Jeremy Stephens but that Ortega declined the offer. White even put Ortega’s manager, Ed Soares, on the spot.

Fans in attendance booed when they heard about Ortega’s decision, but it’s a decision he firmly stands by as he mentioned on Instagram.

I’m a Businessman, a company man, but I’m no yes man. Watching the fights last night knowing I could have been performing for all of you truly took a toll on me. I stand by my decision. Thank you to all of you who showed up to support and respected my decision. For those of you who don’t agree with me I completely understand and promise to give you guys the show of your life when I fight for the title. #tcity

Ortega expanded on his thought-process Monday during an appearance on “Ariel Helwan’s MMA Show.”

“The fight of my life was right there,” Ortega said. “It was right within reach within (three) days, and it got pulled from me. … Before, I’d take a fight on (three days’) notice just to prove to the UFC that I need to fight to get that shot, to get that title. But now I have that, and I don’t want to waste it.”

The UFC also tried to make Stephens vs. Frankie Edgar for an interim title on three days’ notice, but White said Edgar’s family was having none of that and talked him out of it.

With Ortega seemingly intent on waiting for his title shot vs. Holloway, who White said wouldn’t be fighting anytime soon, it’s unknown what the immediate future holds for both fighters.

For complete coverage of UFC 226, check out the UFC Events section of the site.