Apparently, we were close to seeing a very different featherweight step up to face Khabib Nurmagomedov this weekend. While Max Holloway is the man stepping foot into the Octagon, it seems the number one contender for his title, Brian Ortega was also up for the challenge.

Ortega, who was last seen defeating Frankie Edgar in spectacular fashion at UFC 222, took to his social media today to reveal that UFC president Dana White had also contacted him to see if he’d be interested in fighting Nurmagomedov on a week’s notice.

According to Ortega, he wasn’t just interested then, he’s still interested.

For the record, Dana called me yesterday to see if I would step in against Khabib since Max hadn’t responded yet. I said yes. Eventually, Max replied and Dana gave him the fight. If all goes according to plan, I’ll get my turn – at both of them.

— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) April 2, 2018

“For the record, Dana called me yesterday to see if I would step in against Khabib since Max hadn’t responded yet,” Ortega said. “I said yes. Eventually, Max replied and Dana gave him the fight. If all goes according to plan, I’ll get my turn – at both of them.”

Ortega was widely considered to be the next contender for Holloway’s 145-pound title in what was touted as one of the most anticipated featherweight contests in history.

With Holloway moving up to lightweight in search of a second bout, which would make him the second man behind Conor McGregor to such success at 145 and 155-pounds, that position for Ortega seems less certain.

As is always the case in mixed martial arts, the story — and drama — continues to evolve.