It appears long-time UFC featherweight contender Brian Ortega is finally making his move to 155 pounds.
According to a recent report by MMA journalist, Leo Walker Guimaraes, Ortega is expected to fight
perennial lightweight contender Renato Moicano at UFC 326 on Mar. 7 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be headlined by a rematch between current “BMF” champion Max Holloway and former UFC lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira.
Ortega, 34, has long teased a move up from 145 pounds. The talented fighter from California has been a staple in the UFC’s featherweight division — earning UFC title shots in 2018 and 2021 — but “T-City” has also struggled to make weight throughout the years. This includes a scary weight cut at UFC Shanghai earlier this year that resulted in Ortega taking an ambulance ride. That may have been the last straw since Ortega appeared to be on death’s doorstep and also lost to Aljamain Sterling, which pushed his UFC record to 1-4 over his last five fights. A change in scenery will be nice.
Moicano, on the other hand, has been a member of the UFC’s stacked lightweight division for the past five years. The 36-year-old veteran is one of the most game fighters at 155 pounds — which is why he fought Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title on just 24 hours notice — and is always capable of playing spoiler. Moicano will most likely be the betting underdog for his clash with Ortega, but he’s not the one moving up in weight and trying to prove he’s still a top fighter. The pressure will be on Ortega to do all of that.
What do you think, fight fans? Is this a good matchup for Ortega’s UFC lightweight debut? Who has the early edge?
Let us know!
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