UFC 303: Why is Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes a lightweight fight?

Before a single fighter could weigh in on June 28, Jon Anik announced that the UFC 303 co-main event would be changed from a featherweight bout to a lightweight contest. Anik would not provide any explanation in his announcement, but later reports would reveal the reason behind the decision.

Per multiple sources, Brian Ortega notified both the UFC executives and Diego Lopes' team late on the night of June 27 that he would not be able to make the 146-pound limit. At 3:30 a.m. on the morning of the weigh-ins, Lopes agreed to the fight taking place at lightweight instead of featherweight to keep the matchup on the card.

Per Ariel Helwani, Ortega declared himself no longer able to cut down and told Lopes' team that he would have to begin rehydrating if he was to compete. At the time of the call, he weighed 151 pounds, removing the option of a 150-pound catchweight bout.

Both fighters were given just 16 days to prepare for the matchup as the fight was announced on June 13. Dana White confirmed the bout would be the new co-main event of UFC 303 on social media with the same post that he announced Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka would replace Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler as the main event.

In recent interviews, Ortega has admitted to preparing himself for a move up to lightweight when he received the call to fight Lopes at UFC 303.

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Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes official weigh-in results

At the time Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes agreed to their fight being at lightweight, both fighters were below the 155-pound divisional limit. Unsurprisingly, neither had trouble hitting the number on the scale, having already begun the rehydration process.

As two of the earliest fighters to reach the scales, both fighters weighed in at exactly 155 pounds.

The updated circumstances will lead to both fighters' official lightweight debut as professionals. Both Ortega and Lopes have been fighting for over a decade and have spent their entire careers at featherweight leading into UFC 303.