Jack Murray June 30, 2024
Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Dana White does not view Brian Ortega’s withdrawal from UFC 303 as a major downgrade.
Fighter Dan Ige stepped in on three hours notice to fight Diego Lopez, Ortega’s challenger, in Saturday’s fight and UFC president Dana White said the switch was something that could make the fight a notable one.
“This is the s–t legends are made of,” White said. “Both of these guys accepted the fight on short notice and we’ll see how it plays out tonight.”
Kevin Iole @KevinI
Dana on changes #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/6V4tWlkbfa
Lopes enters with a 24-6 record while Ige comes in with a 18-7 record. It is the first time the two have faced off in their careers. Lopes last fought in April 2024 while Ige’s last fight came in February 2024.
The Lopes-Ortega fight was set to be the co-main card with Anthony Smith-Roman Dolidze, Mayra Bueno Silva-Macy Chiasson, Alex Pereira-Jiří Procházka and Ian Machado Garry-Michael Page. Ige’s jump into the fight kept it within that main spot, which was an unprecedented event in UFC history.
Ortega was not the only fighter to pull out of UFC 303, even if he was the latest. Other notable dropouts included Conor McGregor and Jamahal Hill.
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