Great news for UFC star Brian Ortega ... the 27-year-old says he's been medically cleared to return to the Octagon -- and he's got his sights set on a rematch with Max Holloway.
Ortega suffered a broken nose and a broken thumb after his Dec. 8 bloodbath with Max at UFC 231 ... a fight Brian ultimately lost when the doctor stopped it at the end of the 4th round.
Brian fought his ass off -- and later said he was "willing to die" in the Octagon.
After the fight, Ortega underwent surgery -- which was successful -- and now the featherweight star tells us he's looking to book a fight as early as July.
Unclear who the opponent will be -- but Ortega says the ultimate goal is to earn another crack at Holloway, an opponent he has tremendous respect for.
Ortega says he's replayed the Holloway fight in his head -- and knows he can win the second time around.
"A lot of things I could've done different," Ortega says ... "Especially if I showed up in the right state of mind."