UFC veteran Brian Ortega is no stranger to adversity. The former title challenger has faced his share of injuries and setbacks, but he believes that the wisdom gained through these struggles has only made him stronger. As Brian Oretga prepares to take on Diego Lopes at Noche UFC 306, Ortega is poised to make a statement on one of the biggest stages of his career.
Ortega was originally slated to fight Lopes at UFC 303, but a last-minute injury forced him to pull out, a situation that has unfortunately become all too familiar for the 33-year-old fighter. Lopes, who stepped in on short notice to fight Dan Ige at a catchweight, managed to secure a thrilling decision victory, setting the stage for a more meaningful rematch between the two at UFC 306.
Reflecting on Lopes' performance, Ortega expressed admiration for the Mexican fighter’s grit and determination. "He earned my respect," Ortega said in an interview with UFC.com. "Not that it wasn’t there before, but I had more of an admirable attitude towards what he's done and what he's doing."
Now, Ortega has the chance to face a more formidable opponent. With Lopes boasting a Top 10 win, this fight carries significant stakes for both men, particularly as it takes place at UFC’s second “Noche” event in honor of Mexican Independence Day. For Ortega, a proud Mexican-American, the event is not just another fight—it’s a cultural milestone. "The fact that the fights are at Sphere on Mexican Independence Day...it’s crazy. The energy is going to be wild," Ortega said.
July marked Ortega’s 10-year anniversary with the UFC, a decade filled with both explosive victories and painful injuries. His meteoric rise as an undefeated contender earned him two featherweight title shots, but his career has been marred by long layoffs and injuries, limiting him to just one win in his last four fights. Still, Ortega remains optimistic, drawing on his experiences to fuel his resurgence.
After a challenging comeback fight against Yair Rodriguez in Mexico City, where Ortega suffered an ankle injury just moments before the bout, he found redemption with a vintage performance that ended with his first finish since 2018. Ortega believes these experiences give him an edge over Lopes, a younger fighter who is still navigating the early stages of his UFC career.
“You carry wisdom with you every fight," Ortega said. "You have to go through adversity. Like in the last fight, I rolled the ankle. Now, it's a thing, right? You just have to overcome it, but you also gain wisdom from it."
Ortega’s focus is now on defeating Lopes and reigniting his featherweight title hopes. Though a win at UFC 306 may not immediately thrust him into title contention, it will undoubtedly put him back in the mix. The featherweight division is currently stacked, with Ilia Topuria set to face Max Holloway at UFC 308 for a potential shot at the title. While Ortega remains aware of the competition, he’s not getting ahead of himself.
For now, his sole focus is on delivering another electrifying performance for the fans and representing his heritage with pride. UFC 306 is not just a fight—it’s a celebration, and Ortega is determined to give the Mexican-American crowd something to cheer about.
“You already know it’s going to be crazy,” Ortega said with a grin. “Hopefully, that energy can be duplicated this year.”
Don’t Miss UFC 306: O'Malley vs Dvalishvili at the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14, 2024. The preliminary card kicks off at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, with the main card airing live on PPV at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT.