A fan-friendly featherweight matchup is being added to UFC 303 to supplement a fight card that has undergone a massive overhaul.
Two-time title challenger Brian Ortega will face streaking Diego Lopes at 145 pounds.
Lopes (24-6) is riding a hot streak with three consecutive first-round victories in the past 10 months, including an 89-second highlight-reel knockout of Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300 in April.
The 29-year-old Brazilian’s stock has been on an upward trend ever since his impressive short-notice debut at UFC 288 when he tested undefeated Mosvar Evloev for three rounds. He lost a decision that night but has been unstoppable since. Lopes also has a submission win over Gavin Tucker and a knockout against Pat Sabatini.
Ortega returned to the Octagon victorious in February after a two-year layoff when he avenged a previous loss (due to injury) to Yair Rodriguez.
The American overcame early adversity when he rolled his ankle during pre-fight introductions and was rocked by Rodriguez early in the opening round but Ortega battled back and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout eventually took control of the fight and ended it with an arm-triangle submission in the third round, which tied him for second-most finishes (seven) in UFC featherweight history.
Lopes is currently the No. 14-ranked contender in the 145-pound division, while Ortega has been a fixture in the top five for years. He is currently only behind defending champion Ilia Topuria and former champions Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in the rankings.
Dana White announced the addition to the card amongst a number of changes late Thursday. Those changes included the cancellation of the main event between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, which was replaced by Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka.
Additionally, Carlos Ulberg will now face Anthony Smith after Jamahal Hill withdrew due to an injury.
In a surprising turn of events, the UFC has announced a late addition to the upcoming UFC 303 event. Featherweight contender Brian Ortega is set to face off against Diego Lopes in what promises to be an exciting matchup.
Ortega, who is currently ranked number two in the featherweight division, is coming off a dominant win over Chan Sung Jung in his last fight. Known for his slick submission skills and relentless pressure, Ortega is considered one of the top contenders in the division and is looking to secure another impressive victory to solidify his place at the top.
On the other hand, Diego Lopes is a rising star in the featherweight division with an impressive record of 18 wins and 4 losses. Lopes is known for his explosive striking and aggressive fighting style, making him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division.
This matchup between Ortega and Lopes is sure to be a highly anticipated fight, with both fighters bringing their own unique skill sets to the octagon. Fans can expect a fast-paced and action-packed fight as these two featherweights battle it out for supremacy in the division.
With Ortega looking to continue his climb towards a title shot and Lopes aiming to make a statement with a win over a top contender, this fight has all the makings of a classic showdown. UFC 303 just got even more exciting with this late addition to the card, and fans can’t wait to see these two warriors go head-to-head in the octagon.