UFC 303 takes crazy turn as fighter steps in on three hours notice to replace sick Brian Ortega

06/29/2024 09:43 PM

Dan Ige has stepped in on 3 hours’ notice to save the UFC 303 co-main event.

Ige will face Diego Lopes in a 165lbs catchweight bout after Brian Ortega pulled out with illness on the day of the fight.

Jon Anik announced the stunning revelation live during the broadcast: “We got some breaking news right now so UFC 303 live on pay-per-view tonight, Brian Ortega is out of the co-main event with Diego Lopes.

“He had a fever of 103 degrees, after the weight cut he was sick at the end of the evening.

“He woke up and he was still sick and that brings us to what we have now.

“This is an unprecedented situation because Diego Lopes is still fighting.

“Diego Lopes we’re going to show you making his way to the arena, he had to re-weigh in, he did so at 161lbs.

“And we have an opponent, it’s Dan Ige, he lives right around the corner.”

Ige was supposed to be the co-main event in three weeks against Chepe Mariscal at UFC Vegas 94, headlined by former UFC Women’s Strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos and ex-Invicta FC Strawweight champion Virna Jandiroba.

However, he turned up and weighed in at 164.5lbs to replace Ortega.