Brian Ortega - News & Rumors - UFC

Scheduled for lightweight with Hangman Ortega (eye) will fight Dan Hooker in a lightweight bout at UFC Qatar on Nov. 21, according to Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports.

Impact Ortega will stay at lightweight to take on one of the division's longest-serving fighters, who has been finished in each of his last three fights. Ideally for T-City, he can begin a lightweight run similar to his early days with the UFC, beginning his featherweight career with six consecutive finishes before logging a loss.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Reasons for withdrawal revealed Ortega withdrew from the UFC 331 fight against Renato Moicano on Sept. 19 due to an eye injury, according to Nolan King of MMA Junkie.

Impact Ortega, who owns an 8-5 record at UFC, revealed he pulled out of his scheduled fight against Moicano just five days prior to Saturday's event at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles due to an eye injury. Ortega suffered a nasty gash over his right eye in training, requiring stitches and resulting in significant swelling. Not only he won't be able to fight Saturday, but it remains to be seen when he'll be able to return to the octagon.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

No longer facing Moicano Ortega (undisclosed) will no longer face Renato Moicano in a lightweight bout at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, per Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports.

Impact Ortega has been scrapped from the card due to injury, and his opponent has also been removed from the card and will instead fight on Oct. 31 at UFC Vegas 123. Ortega is in desperate need of a win having lost four of his last five.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Booked vs. Moicano Ortega will take on Renato Moicano in a lightweight bout at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, per Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports.

Impact Ortega is in need of a big win. He's dropped his last two bouts, and four of his last five. He has just one win since 2021, and most recently he fell via unanimous decision at the hands of Aljamain Sterling back in August of 2025, dropping his UFC record to 8-5. He'll now face a slightly older and significantly more experienced UFC fighter in Moicano.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Getting rematch against Moicano Ortega will fight Renato Moicano at UFC 326 on March 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.

Impact Ortega's loss to Aljamain Sterling in August marked the former's fourth loss in his last five bouts. Desperate for a win, Ortega will look to turn things around against Moicano, who has lost two straight fights and also lost when the two fighters first faced each other in July 2017.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

"Nasty jab, creative" - Aljamain Sterling opens up on former rival Sean O'Malley's surprising DM after UFC Shanghai win over Brian Ortega Aljamain Sterling recently disclosed a text message he received from former rival Sean O'Malley following his victory against Brian Ortega a...

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Soundly defeated by Sterling Ortega lost to Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) at UFC Shanghai on Saturday.

Impact The story heading into this fight was how brutal Ortega looked on the scales and in face-offs, as a bad weight cut led to this scheduled featherweight fight getting moved to a 153-pound catchweight. Credit to Ortega for still showing up -- barely. Ortega did very little from the opening bell, landing just two significant strikes for the entirety of Round 1. The remaining frames weren't much better, with Ortega getting out-landed in each and surrendering three takedowns in Rounds 4 and 5 to seal his fate. He did have a big moment late, but Sterling ultimately weathered the storm. It's back to the drawing board once again for Ortega, who has now lost four of his last five fights, albeit against the elite the featherweight division has to offer. His days of title-implicating fights may be past him, however, especially if he can no longer get the weight cut under control.

AUGUST 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Aljamain Sterling reveals unexpected injury from Brian Ortega fight Aljamain Sterling is suffering from success after his five-round shutout victory over Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai on Saturday.

AUGUST 24, 2025 • SI.COM

Aljamain Sterling calls for title shot: 'I think I've done enough' Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling picked up a one-sided decision win over Brian Ortega on Saturday and wants a title shot.

AUGUST 24, 2025 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Aljamain Sterling happy to showcase striking in UFC Shanghai win over Brian Ortega Heading into UFC Fight Night 257, Aljamain Sterling knew what Brian Ortega was up to.

AUGUST 23, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

UFC Fight Night 257 results: Aljamain Sterling sweeps Brian Ortega, calls for title shot Brian Ortega made it all five rounds, but a brutal weight cut could explain his lack of offense.

AUGUST 23, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling prediction, pick, start time for UFC Shanghai In a fight that saw a major last-minute change, does Brian Ortega or Aljamain Sterling have the edge at UFC Shanghai?

AUGUST 23, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

UFC Fight Night 257: Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling odds, picks and predictions In a 3-round catch weight bout on the main card, Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 257 in Shanghai, China.

AUGUST 22, 2025 • NEWS-JOURNALONLINE.COM

To fight Sterling at 153 pounds Oretega's scheduled featherweight bout against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai on Saturday will now be contested at a catchweight of 153 pounds, according to the UFC official sit...

Impact Ortega seemingly had a tough weight cut, as he didn't look physically great in either his walk to the scales or during his face-off with Sterling. The weight cut appeared to be far less taxing for Sterling, who formerly competed a division lower at bantamweight. So far, bettors seem to agree with the bad body language from Ortega's side, as he began the week as roughly a (+230) betting underdog but now sits at approximately (+350).

AUGUST 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

UFC Shanghai walkout songs: Tracks Johnny Walker, Zhang Mingyang, Brian Ortega, and others have used before UFC Shanghai takes place on Aug. 23 at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in China. It is the promotion’s second visit to the city and first since...

AUGUST 13, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Aljamain Sterling couldn't say no to Brian Ortega, but UFC Shanghai wasn't on 'bingo card' Ask and you shall receive, learned Aljamain Sterling.

JULY 1, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

UFC Shanghai lands Aljamain Sterling-Brian Ortega | Sporting News Two key fights have been announced for the August UFC Shanghai event, as former champion Aljamain Sterling takes on Brian Ortega.

JUNE 27, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Aiming to bounce back vs. Sterling Ortega will face Aljamain Sterling in a featherweight bout at UFC Shanghai on Aug. 23.

Impact Ortega has been competing in the lightweight division of late, but he'll drop to featherweight in an effort to gain some much-needed momentum. He's just 1-3 in his past four fights and has recorded only one victory dating back to Oct. 2020.

JUNE 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling added to UFC Shanghai; Walker vs. Zhang headlines UFC Shanghai features Zhang Mingyang vs. Johnny Walker in the main event along with Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling.

JUNE 26, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Henry Cejudo unsure Diego Lopes would be ready for Brian Ortega after UFC 303 Henry Cejudo has his doubts on Diego Lopes after UFC 303.

JULY 2, 2024 • USATODAY.COM

Ige called in hours before UFC 303 to replace ill fighter in the co-main event

An illness forced Brian Ortega to withdraw Saturday hours before his scheduled fight with Diego Lopes in the co-main event at UFC 303

JUNE 30, 2024 • Associated Press

UFC 303: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes odds, picks and predictions In a 3-round lightweight bout on the main card, Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes meet Saturday at UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Let's...

JUNE 29, 2024 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Video: Did UFC 303 get better? Reacting to Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2, Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel reacts to the bout changes to UFC 303.

JUNE 19, 2024 • USATODAY.COM

Jon Anik wants to see Brian Ortega face Movsar Evloev in five-round title eliminator Jon Anik thinks Brian Ortega should take on one more top contender before getting a title shot.

FEBRUARY 29, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

Jon Anik wants to see Brian Ortega face Movsar Evloev in five-round title eliminator Jon Anik thinks Brian Ortega should take on one more top contender before getting a title shot.

FEBRUARY 29, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

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Ige called in hours before UFC 303 to replace ill fighter in the co-main event