UFC 303 co-main event drastically changed just hours before weigh-ins as fighters come in 9lb over featherweight limit

With just hours to go until UFC 303 kicks off, there is one final twist in the tale of this ill-fated pay-per-view.

The event was due to be headlined by Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler, with a co-headliner of Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree Jr. But by this week, all four of those names were out, with brand new main and co-mains of Alex Pereira vs Jiri Procazka and Brian Ortega vs Diego Lopes being booked.

However, the ever-changing landscape of this card continues, with a drastic last-minute change being made to the weight class. Lopes has been asked to move up to lightweight in order for his bout with Ortega to go ahead.

FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Dustin Poirier predicts ‘OG’ UFC 303 fighter will earn massive underdog win

Brian Ortega vs Diego Lopes changed to lightweight after weight cut struggle

Just before the beginning of this afternoon’s UFC 303 weigh-in show in Las Vegas, broadcaster Jon Anik informed media in the room that the co-main event was being moved to lightweight. A report from Ariel Helwani indicated that Ortega was forced to start rehydrating last night at 151lb.

The former world title contender had been re-shaping his body with an eye towards a move to lightweight at UFC Noche in September when he took the short notice fight. And he couldn’t get past 151lb, which resulted in Lopes being told to either move up on a few hours’ notice or call off the fight.

“A lot of things changing Friday morning,” Anik told the weigh-in show ahead of fighters tipping the scales. “Brian ‘T-City’ Ortega and Diego Lopes will now be contested at 155lb. That is a lightweight fight now and it changes the complexion a lot.

“In terms of why this is happening, no on the ground context for you here. But my informed speculation from our fighter meeting, and[[Daniel Cormier]can speak to this, probably on the Ortega side. He did offer up that the biggest challenge was going to be weight-related.

“Diego Lopes didn’t seem to have any issue with it so we believe that because of ‘T-City’ this fight is being moved to lightweight. I think it effects the handicap and the breakdown and everything else.”

Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes both weigh in at 155lb after featherweight fight is changed

Lopes was one of the first to tip the scales, wearing a hat and shorts as he came in at 155lb on the button. He was reportedly told that if the fight didn’t move to lightweight that he would be forced out of the event.

The pair both tipped the scales at 155lb on the button, although Lopes was earlier and looked considerably the better of the two in terms of physique. Ortega appeared drawn and Cormier noted on commentary that he “looked like he was hurting to make 155lb.”

Ortega had been out for almost two years before making a successful return to the octagon at UFC Mexico City in February. He avenged the controversial result of his injury loss to Yair Rodriguez from the summer of 2022, and was planning to move up in weight before stepping in for UFC 303.

Since making his debut just over a year ago as a late-notice replacement against Movsar Evloev in New Jersey, Lopes has fought three times. He lost his first UFC outing, but came back with back-to-back-to-back first round finishes before taking the Ortega fight.