While Brian Ortega (25-6) already respected upcoming opponent Diego Lopes (16-3), it has only increased because of what the Brazilian did at UFC 303.
Ortega was preparing for a move up to lightweight when he accepted a featherweight matchup against Lopes on two weeks’ notice at UFC 303 this past June. The cut was too much for Ortega and it was announced that the fight fell through after the card had already commenced. In a miraculous turn of events, Dan Ige stepped in to fight Lopes on four hours’ notice.