UFC 306’s Brian Ortega still plans to move to lightweight after Diego Lopes bout: ‘My goal is to stay busy’

Brian Ortega is ready to stay busy and do so in a higher-weight class if necessary.

Everyone was looking forward to the intriguing stylistic clash between Ortega and the rising Mexican contender, Diego Lopes, at UFC 303 in June 2024. Unfortunately, an illness prevented the two-time title challenger from making the walk and led to an unprecedented short-notice replacement from their fellow contender, Dan Ige.

The fight has been rebooked and will take place on an arguably bigger and better inside the Las Vegas Sphere at Noche UFC’s UFC 306 this weekend (Sat., Sept. 14, 2024). Despite the pivotal 145-pound match up still on tap, Ortega’s intentions to move up in weight haven’t wavered.

“1000 percent [Lightweight is the goal],” Ortega said at UFC 306 media day. “Because you got [Ilia] Topuria and Max [Holloway] fighting in October then after that you have whatever date they decide on next year to fight. So, it’s like a line to fight for the belt, and depending on how this fight goes this weekend it’s gonna determine whether the fans believe that I deserve another shot or not. Either or, my goal is to stay busy and if there’s nothing for me in the Featherweight division then I’ll move up.”

Lopes, 29, defeated Ige via a unanimous decision at UFC 303 in replacement of Ortega at UFC 303. “T-City” last fought when he earned a third round arm triangle choke in his rematch with Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico in February 2024 (watch highlights).

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NOCHE UFC AT THE SPHERE! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will stage a once-in-a-lifetime pay-per-view (PPV) extravaganza on Sat., Sept. 14, 2024, to honor Mexican Independence Day during Riyadh Season, an unlikely mashup topped by the Bantamweight main event between reigning champion, Sean O’Malley, and sliced-and-diced No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili. In UFC 306’s championship co-headliner, current Flyweight titleholder, Alexa Grasso, will settle her score with fellow Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 32 coach, Valentina Shevchenko, in the final fight of their epic 125-pound trilogy. UFC 306’s PPV main card (see it here) will also feature Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes, Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng, and so much more! It’s must-watch action from “Sin City!” UFC 306’s start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (Prelims card) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 306 fight card right RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPNN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 306 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 306: “O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 306 fight card and PPV lineup click here.