Slated to compete at UFC 303 over the course of last weekend up until 4 hours ahead of his co-main event fight with Diego Lopes, the withdrawal of Brian Ortega through illness led to one of the most lackadaisical replacement shuffles in Octagon history – and we’ve now got an explanation.
Ortega, who was set to meet with Brazilian fan-favorite, Lopes in a short-notice co-headliner, was forced to withdraw from his clash through illness, after previously forcing a catchweight bout prior to weigh-ins.
And with the pair successfully making the catchweight limit for the bout, it seemed all systems go for their UFC 303 matchup, however, with just 4 hours to go before the Octagon would be bolted shut behind them, Brian Ortega was forced from the bout due to illness.