Diego Lopes is confident that Brian Ortega will make weight and stay healthy for their rescheduled featherweight bout at UFC 306 on September 14, after their previous fight faced multiple issues leading to a last-minute replacement and catchweight contest.
Diego Lopes expects Brian Ortega to make it to the octagon without any hiccups on Sept. 14 at UFC 306. This comes despite all the drama that unfolded hours before their scheduled June bout.
Lopes and Ortega agreed to a featherweight showdown on short notice at UFC 303. The card suffered major hits, notably the cancellation of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
However, the bout was moved to 155 pounds just hours before weigh-ins. Ortega had issues cutting weight.
In an unprecedented move, Dan Ige replaced Ortega just hours before the fight. He faced Lopes in a 165-pound catchweight after Ortega fell ill.
Lopes defeated Ige via decision for his fourth straight UFC win. He then asked the promotion to retry the Ortega fight.
Both fighters have now agreed to meet in a featherweight contest next month at the Sphere. The Brazilian is confident that Ortega will make weight and stay healthy.
“I have no fear,” Lopes told MMA Fighting. “He’s always had a hard time making 145, but he always makes weight.”
“It didn’t work out last time, unfortunately, but I understand it. We had two weeks’ notice; he weighed over 176 pounds.”
“We knew something like that could happen, so we even offered to fight at 155, but the UFC said no. But I have no fear about Ortega missing weight now.”
“I’m cool, focused on my work, and focused on evolving every single day to go there and do a good job.”
Lopes said he was “caught by surprise” with the offer to fight Ige on just hours’ notice. It felt like “going to the gym on sparring day and randomly sparring someone.”
It was an experience that taught him important lessons.
“I proved something to myself—that I’m ready for any situation in a fight,” Lopes said.
“They changed the weight, changed the opponent on late notice, and that showed I have a strong mind to be prepared for any adversity.”
Lopes and Ortega will have full camps to prepare for each other this time around. The Mexico-based athlete sees similarities between them in boxing and grappling.
“The idea is always the same—walk forward and go for the finish as fast as possible,” Lopes said.
“I know that doing good work in the Ortega fight and beating him emphatically could elevate me in the rankings.”
“My name will be strong to fight for the belt in the future.”
“I don’t know if I’ll go straight for the belt with a win at UFC 306,” Lopes added.
“But my name will definitely be on the table if something happens. If the UFC has any last-minute changes, my name will be there.”
“A chance for the belt won’t be that far away,” he concluded.