Dana White gives immediate cage-side reaction to UFC 303 co-main event swap, NSAC executive explains Brian Ortega mishap 

Dana White (left) reacts to Brian Ortega (inset) pulling out of UFC 303 [Images courtesy: @briantcity on Instagram and Getty]
Dana White (left) reacts to Brian Ortega (inset) pulling out of UFC 303. [Images courtesy: Getty and @briantcity on Instagram]

Dana White recently shared his opinions regarding the co-main event switch at UFC 303. Brian Ortega was abruptly forced out from UFC 303 in a manner that has never been done before. He was scheduled to compete against Diego Lopes in the pay-per-view card's co-main event.

During the prelims, the broadcast officially announced Dan Ige vs. Diego Lopes as the evening's co-main event due to Ortega's illness which kept him off the card.

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Following the announcement, White spoke to MMA journalist Kevin Iole and gave his immediate reaction, saying:

''Found out a couple of hours ago and he [Ortega] got sick apparently, a fever and pull out of the fight. We had the doctors check him out, had to pull out of the fight and he gave his ready to go. He's fighting on the 20th and they say he's in the best shape he's ever been in, so here we are.''

Check out Dana White's comments below:

NSAC executive discusses Brian Ortega pulling out of UFC 303

The UFC 303 co-main event was rescheduled on the day of the event. Brian Ortega has withdrawn from the bout due to illness, and Dan Ige has taken his place. Ige and Diego Lopes will now square off in a catchweight (165 pounds) bout.

NSAC executive director Jeff Mullen spoke to Megan Olivi and shared his thoughts on the switch:

''Well what happened at first was Brian Ortega was medically unable to compete today, so they immediately started looking for a replacement. Fortunately, Dan Ige, who was the 14th-ranked contender, was right here in town, he was already licensed. He fought here in February, so he had all of his medicals, all of his requirements completed. So he was available, they made the fight.''

Check out Jeff Mullen's comments below:

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Edited by Anurag Mitra
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