Brian Ortega News
Aljamain Sterling criticizes one aspect of UFC Shanghai booking against Brian Ortega
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 20, 2025
Aljamain Sterling isn’t gung-ho about his fight with Brian Ortega being scheduled for five rounds. Sterling and Ortega are set to collide on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai. Despite not being the headliner, “Funkmaster” vs. “T-City” will be contested for five rounds if necessary. This doesn’t sit well with the former UFC Bantamweight Champion.
Pro fighters make their picks for Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2025
In the co-main event of UFC Shanghai, featherweight contenders throw down as Brian Ortega takes on Aljamain Sterling. Heading into the bout, Ortega is a +200 underdog while the former bantamweight champ is a -265 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap at UFC Shanghai, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the intriguing featherweight bout, which is a five-round co-main event. The pros agree with the oddsmakers as they expect Sterling to get his hand raised and get closer to a title shot.
UFC Shanghai: ‘Walker vs Mingyang’ Fight Card & Start Times
Harry Kettle - July 10, 2025
The Ultimate Fighting Championship heads back to China next month for UFC Shanghai – and the card is looking pretty interesting. Event: UFC Shanghai: Walker vs Mingyang Date: Saturday, 23rd August 2025 Location: Shanghai Indoor Stadium (Shanghai, China) Broadcast: ESPN+, UFC Fight Pass (7am EST main card)
Lerone Murphy calls out Brian Ortega following UFC Vegas 105 win, 'T-City' responds
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 6, 2025
Lerone Murphy is calling for a matchup with Brian Ortega. Murphy shared the Octagon with perhaps his toughest test to date in Josh Emmett. Murphy was effective in using his distance to stay away from Emmett’s punching power. He even frustrated his opponent at the end of the fight, where Emmett mocked him for “running.”
Aljamain Sterling eyes April return, names Brian Ortega as potential opponent
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Aljamain Sterling is circling a potential April return date. Sterling is hoping to make his first fight of 2025 a successful one. He ended 2024 with disappointment, losing a highly competitive clash against Movsar Evloev on the UFC 311 prelims. It’s a fight that the former UFC bantamweight champion believes he should’ve won.
Brian Ortega vows "to make some moves to get better" after UFC 306 loss
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2024
Brian Ortega knows he has to make some moves if he is going to get better. Ortega is coming off a clear-cut decision loss to Diego Lopes at UFC 306 on Saturday. Lopes dropped Ortega early, and the Brazilian cruised to a lopsided decision win. Following the loss, Ortega took to his Instagram story to share an update on his face and leg and said he knows he has to do something if he is going to improve.
Brian Ortega issues statement on UFC 306 loss to Diego Lopes
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 15, 2024
Brian Ortega has spoken out following his UFC 306 loss to Diego Lopes. Going into the big pay-per-view event this past Saturday night, many were wondering if Ortega’s experience would be too much for the rising Lopes to handle. As it turns out, the Lobo Gym MMA standout was more than ready for the step up in competition.
Pros react after Diego Lopes defeats Brian Ortega at UFC 306
Chris Taylor - September 14, 2024
Tonight’s UFC 306 main card lineup featured a highly anticipated men’s featherweight bout between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes. Ortega and Lopes were of course originally booked to square off at June’s UFC 303 event, but ‘T-City’ was forced out of the contest the day of the fight due to illness.
Brian Ortega wanted Diego Lopes fight to be rebooked to "finish" their story: "I don’t want to leave anyone with any doubt"
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024
Brian Ortega wanted to fight Diego Lopes so fans could get the answer on who would emerge victorious. Ortega has seen plenty of fights get scrapped that never ended up getting rebooked. One of the biggest what-if fights of all time is Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson. So, after Ortega was pulled from his UFC 303 bout against Lopes, he knew his next fight had to be against the Brazilian.
Brian Ortega explains why he may move up to lightweight after UFC 306: “It’s like a line to fight for the (145) belt”
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2024
Brian Ortega has explained why he is considering a move up to lightweight after Noche UFC this weekend. On Saturday night, Brian Ortega faces a huge test at the Sphere in Las Vegas. He will go head to head with Diego Lopes, a man who is very much on the rise at featherweight. The expectation is that the winner will put themselves right in the running for a shot at the belt down the road.
Brian Ortega admits he's "thankful" the UFC pulled him from June matchup against Diego Lopes: "They were looking out for me"
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024
Brian Ortega is happy the Ultimate Fighting Championship pulled him from his scheduled UFC 303 bout against Diego Lopes in June. Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight on short notice after Conor McGregor withdrew from the event. The UFC needed to boost the card and Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight. However, on weigh-in day, the fight was moved from featherweight to lightweight.
Daniel Cormier issues warning to Brian Ortega heading into Noche UFC
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has issued a warning to Brian Ortega heading into Noche UFC this weekend. On Saturday night, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will put on a super special event at the Sphere in Las Vegas. In addition, they will also be giving us some incredibly fun fights throughout the card.
Brian Ortega recalls hectic 48 hours that led to UFC 303 withdrawal: "I didn’t come back to life"
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2024
Brian Ortega has opened up on the 48 hours leading to his withdrawal from his UFC 303 fight against Diego Lopes. Ortega was booked on short notice to face Lopes at featherweight to help save the UFC 303 card following Conor McGregor’s withdrawal. However, before weigh-ins, the fight was moved to lightweight as ‘T-City’ was having a hard time making the weight.
Brian Ortega shares update on health after withdrawing from UFC 303 on fight day
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2024
Brian Ortega has opened up on why he withdrew from his UFC 303 fight against Diego Lopes on fight day. Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight on short notice after Conor McGregor withdrew from his UFC 303 headliner against Michael Chandler, as the promotion looked to build out the card. With Ortega taking the fight on two weeks’ notice, he struggled to get down to 145lbs and the fight was moved to lightweight on weigh-in day.
Brian Ortega's manager explains sudden UFC 303 pull-out: "He couldn't recover or keep anything down"
Josh Evanoff - July 1, 2024
According to Brian Ortega’s manager, his UFC 303 pull-out was largely due to the short notice he had to prepare. ‘T-City’ was set to return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 303 on Saturday. However, as many fans likely know, Brian Ortega’s bout with Diego Lopes was made on short notice. After Conor McGregor withdrew from the card with two weeks to go, the featherweights were added to help boost the card.
Pros react after Diego Lopes defeats Dan Ige at UFC 303
Chris Taylor - June 29, 2024
Tonight’s UFC 303 event was co-headlined by a lightweight bout between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes. Lopes was initially slated to fight Brian Ortega in tonight’s co-headliner. However, ‘T-City‘ was forced to withdraw last minute due to a fever.
Brian Ortega out, Dan Ige steps in to fight Diego Lopes at UFC 303
Cole Shelton - June 29, 2024
A major change has happened to UFC 303 as the co-main event as Brian Ortega is out of his fight against Diego Lopes and Dan Ige has stepped up on short notice. Ortega vs Lopes was supposed to take place at featherweight but on Friday the fight was moved to lightweight. Now, sources confirmed to BJPENN that Ortega is out of the fight and Ige has stepped up on short notice.
Daniel Cormier pitches opponent for Brian Ortega’s UFC lightweight debut
Susan Cox - June 27, 2024
Daniel Cormier is pitching an opponent for Brian Ortega’s UFC lightweight debut. UFC 303 takes place this weekend, Saturday, June 29th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.