Max Holloway knows he can’t be caught slipping for even one moment against Brian Ortega at UFC 226, or it will spell the end of his reign as UFC featherweight champion.

Ortega (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) comes into the event as the undefeated challenger, but he got there through capitalizing on the smallest of openings. He’s lost more rounds in the UFC than he’s won. But that matters little. “T-City” has been able to find a finish each time he’s stepped into the octagon.

Holloway (19-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) commends Ortega for his mentality and perseverance when things are going aren’t going his way in a fight. The champ knows anyone can be caught at any time, but with his opponent being particular dangerous, being focused for all 25 minutes or less is essential.

“Back in the day, they used to fight to the death, and that’s what he fights for,” Holloway told MMAjunkie. “He pretty much fights to the death. He fights for the finish. He’s dangerous all the time, he’s dangerous all rounds, so I’ve got to step up my game. I’ve got to be extra focused. He’s fought great competition, but now it’s time to fight the best, and the best is ‘Blessed.’”

UFC 226 takes place July 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Holloway vs. Ortega co-headlines the pay-per-view main card following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Although Holloway, No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings, and No. 2-ranked Ortega obviously have contrasting opinions on who is going to win the fight, they can both agree on one thing: Their matchup is the biggest in UFC featherweight history since the UFC 194 bout between Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo in December 2015.

That type of hype is nice, Holloway said, but ultimately he’s not trying to make it out to be more than it is. In his mind, UFC 226 is just another defense in what he plans to be a long title reign.

“They’re calling it a superfight for a reason, and they’re not only talking about the main event (between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier),” Holloway said. “But at the end of the day, Brian’s just another cupcake – but a different flavor, and I like horchata.”

Whether it’s the biggest fight in featherweight history or the most inconsequential, Holloway said he doesn’t need any additional motivation for UFC 226. He’s simply eager to get back in the octagon after a 2018 campaign that’s been along the most disappointing stretches of his career.

Holloway was scheduled to fight Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 in March, but was forced to withdraw from the card due to an ankle injury. He took a short-notice bout for the lightweight title against Khabib Nurmagomedov the following month at UFC 223, but was pulled on weigh-in day after the New York commission deemed him medically unfit to continue cutting weight.

The Hawaiian hasn’t competed since a third-round TKO of Jose Aldo at UFC 218 this past December, and with 18 fights since he joined the organization in 2012, there are few on the UFC roster who have been more active over the past six years. A six-month break is more than Holloway can handle, though, and he’s ready to put the frustrating period behind him and prove once more why he’s the top dog at 145 pounds.

“I can’t wait for fight week and just to go out there and just be able to fight,” Holloway said. “It’s been too long. I just want to get back in there and remind people what era it is. Respect to Ortega, but the best is still ‘Blessed.’”

For more on UFC 226, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.