Brian Ortega News
Brian Ortega wanted Diego Lopes fight to be rebooked to "finish" their story: "I don’t want to leave anyone with any doubt"
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024
Brian Ortega wanted to fight Diego Lopes so fans could get the answer on who would emerge victorious. Ortega has seen plenty of fights get scrapped that never ended up getting rebooked. One of the biggest what-if fights of all time is Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson. So, after Ortega was pulled from his UFC 303 bout against Lopes, he knew his next fight had to be against the Brazilian.
Brian Ortega explains why he may move up to lightweight after UFC 306: “It’s like a line to fight for the (145) belt”
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2024
Brian Ortega has explained why he is considering a move up to lightweight after Noche UFC this weekend. On Saturday night, Brian Ortega faces a huge test at the Sphere in Las Vegas. He will go head to head with Diego Lopes, a man who is very much on the rise at featherweight. The expectation is that the winner will put themselves right in the running for a shot at the belt down the road.
Brian Ortega admits he's "thankful" the UFC pulled him from June matchup against Diego Lopes: "They were looking out for me"
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024
Brian Ortega is happy the Ultimate Fighting Championship pulled him from his scheduled UFC 303 bout against Diego Lopes in June. Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight on short notice after Conor McGregor withdrew from the event. The UFC needed to boost the card and Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight. However, on weigh-in day, the fight was moved from featherweight to lightweight.
Daniel Cormier issues warning to Brian Ortega heading into Noche UFC
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has issued a warning to Brian Ortega heading into Noche UFC this weekend. On Saturday night, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will put on a super special event at the Sphere in Las Vegas. In addition, they will also be giving us some incredibly fun fights throughout the card.
Brian Ortega recalls hectic 48 hours that led to UFC 303 withdrawal: "I didn’t come back to life"
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2024
Brian Ortega has opened up on the 48 hours leading to his withdrawal from his UFC 303 fight against Diego Lopes. Ortega was booked on short notice to face Lopes at featherweight to help save the UFC 303 card following Conor McGregor’s withdrawal. However, before weigh-ins, the fight was moved to lightweight as ‘T-City’ was having a hard time making the weight.
Brian Ortega shares update on health after withdrawing from UFC 303 on fight day
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2024
Brian Ortega has opened up on why he withdrew from his UFC 303 fight against Diego Lopes on fight day. Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight on short notice after Conor McGregor withdrew from his UFC 303 headliner against Michael Chandler, as the promotion looked to build out the card. With Ortega taking the fight on two weeks’ notice, he struggled to get down to 145lbs and the fight was moved to lightweight on weigh-in day.
Brian Ortega's manager explains sudden UFC 303 pull-out: "He couldn't recover or keep anything down"
Josh Evanoff - July 1, 2024
According to Brian Ortega’s manager, his UFC 303 pull-out was largely due to the short notice he had to prepare. ‘T-City’ was set to return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 303 on Saturday. However, as many fans likely know, Brian Ortega’s bout with Diego Lopes was made on short notice. After Conor McGregor withdrew from the card with two weeks to go, the featherweights were added to help boost the card.
Pros react after Diego Lopes defeats Dan Ige at UFC 303
Chris Taylor - June 29, 2024
Tonight’s UFC 303 event was co-headlined by a lightweight bout between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes. Lopes was initially slated to fight Brian Ortega in tonight’s co-headliner. However, ‘T-City‘ was forced to withdraw last minute due to a fever.
Brian Ortega out, Dan Ige steps in to fight Diego Lopes at UFC 303
Cole Shelton - June 29, 2024
A major change has happened to UFC 303 as the co-main event as Brian Ortega is out of his fight against Diego Lopes and Dan Ige has stepped up on short notice. Ortega vs Lopes was supposed to take place at featherweight but on Friday the fight was moved to lightweight. Now, sources confirmed to BJPENN that Ortega is out of the fight and Ige has stepped up on short notice.
Daniel Cormier pitches opponent for Brian Ortega’s UFC lightweight debut
Susan Cox - June 27, 2024
Daniel Cormier is pitching an opponent for Brian Ortega’s UFC lightweight debut. UFC 303 takes place this weekend, Saturday, June 29th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Alexander Volkanovski shares prediction for Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes at UFC 303
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski is excited to see the UFC 303 co-main event between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes. Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight each other on short notice in the co-main event in a pivotal bout at featherweight. The winner of the scrap will put themselves in a good spot to fight for the title next.
Brian Ortega shares the dark backstory behind his iconic UFC 266 'Purge' walkout
Curtis Calhoun - June 26, 2024
One of UFC featherweight Brian Ortega’s wildest moments during his UFC career has dark origins behind it. Ortega will face the surging Diego Lopes in the UFC 303 co-main event this Saturday in Las Vegas. The fight came together on weeks’ notice after Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from the card’s main event.
Diego Lopes believes win over Brian Ortega at UFC 303 will lead to a title shot: "There's no doubt"
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes believes that he will fight for gold with a win over Brian Ortega. The Brazilian is currently one of the fastest-rising stars in the entire UFC. Diego Lopes signed with the company in 2023, suffering a short-notice loss to Movsar Evloev. Since then, the 29-year-old has racked up three straight stoppage wins, last knocking out Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300 in April. That win has earned him a shot at one of the division’s biggest stars.
Brian Ortega responds after being called out by former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling
Susan Cox - April 15, 2024
Brian Ortega is responding after being called out by former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. Ortega (16-3 MMA) is a former featherweight title challenger who is coming off a third-round submission victory over Yair Rodriguez (19-5 MMA) this past February at UFC Mexico City.
Aljamain Sterling calls out Brian Ortega following dominant win over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300: “I’m undeniable”
Harry Kettle - April 15, 2024
UFC featherweight Aljamain Sterling has called out Brian Ortega following his victory over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300. On Saturday night, Aljamain Sterling made his debut at 145 pounds. It was an impressive one, too, as he dominated Calvin Kattar to really announce himself in the featherweight division.
PHOTO | Coach reveals cut Brian Ortega sustained just weeks before UFC Mexico City that required "14 stitches"
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2024
Rener Gracie, the coach of Brian Ortega revealed ‘T-City’ suffered a serious cut just three weeks before his UFC Mexico City rematch against Yair Rodriguez. Ortega was ending his year-and-a-half-long layoff in a rematch against Rodriguez in the co-main event of Saturday’s card. It was his first fight since he suffered a shoulder injury in the first Rodriguez fight, and since then he had multiple surgeries during his time off.
Brian Ortega shakes up the featherweight rankings following win at UFC Mexico City
Harry Kettle - February 27, 2024
UFC star Brian Ortega has made his way up in the featherweight rankings following his win last weekend. On Saturday night, Brian Ortega went head to head with Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City. Despite a freak injury and a poor start to the first round, Ortega eventually turned things around and picked up a convincing win. Now, many are wondering what’s going to be next for him in the division.
Aljamain Sterling believes he could “exploit” the wrestling of both Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez after watching UFC Mexico City
Harry Kettle - February 27, 2024
Aljamain Sterling believes he could find success against Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez through his wrestling. At UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling will attempt to make a winning start to life at featherweight as he prepares to battle Calvin Kattar. The expectation is that it’ll be an all-action affair, with Sterling beginning his pursuit of a second world title.