Brian Ortega’s much-anticipated fight against Diego Lopes at UFC 303 took a dramatic turn just hours before the event. News broke during the preliminary card that Ortega was forced to withdraw due to illness.
Reports suggested Ortega had been battling a fever as high as 103 degrees Fahrenheit since the weigh-ins on Friday. This wasn’t the only hurdle Ortega faced. He initially struggled to make weight for the featherweight bout, forcing a last-minute shift to the lightweight division.
With Ortega out, the UFC scrambled to find a replacement. Thankfully, featherweight contender Dan Ige stepped in on short notice. The fight with Lopes proceeded as a catchweight contest, with both fighters agreeing to a weight limit of around 165 pounds.
While Ige’s willingness to fight saved the co-main event, the late switch undoubtedly affected Lopes’ preparation. He had initially geared up for a fight at 145 pounds and then had to adjust for a heavier opponent on short notice.
Despite the challenges, Lopes emerged victorious, defeating Ige by unanimous decision. In his post-fight interview, Lopes expressed well wishes for Ortega’s recovery and even floated the possibility of rescheduling their fight in the future.
Ortega has not yet publicly commented on his withdrawal or addressed his next move. This setback comes after a long training camp and adds another layer of uncertainty to his future fight plans.
