On November 12, 2016, Luis Ortiz defeated Malik Scott by unanimous decision in a 12-round heavyweight bout for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title at Salle des Étoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Ortiz controlled the fight from start to finish with his pressure, jab, and power punching, while Scott spent much of the bout moving and fighting defensively, allowing Ortiz to win comfortably on the scorecards (120–105, 120–106, 119–106).