Brian Ortega has launched an announcement addressing what went unsuitable throughout UFC 303 battle week.
After stepping up on brief discover to exchange one other co-feature that fell aside, Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) was able to compete towards Diego Lopes within the co-main occasion of UFC 303 at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
After finishing all of his battle week media obligations, the previous featherweight title challenger requested that the bout towards Lopes (25-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) be moved to a lightweight bout simply hours earlier than weigh-ins, to which his opponent and the promotion agreed.
Ortega weighed in at 155 kilos however wouldn’t make it to the cage on battle evening as he withdrew on battle day as a consequence of sickness, making approach for Dan Ige to step up on a moment’s notice to face Lopes.
Wednesday, Ortega addressed what went unsuitable in an announcement posted on Instagram, stating, “To these have at all times supported me, I’m very grateful in your guys. I hope this brings readability to you.”
Learn Ortega’s full assertion under:
“I’m feeling a lot better, thanks for all of the love. Come battle week I felt off and I didn’t really feel proper, I assumed it was simply the residual results from the minimize. I used to be 178 lb once I accepted this battle on 15 days discover. Thursday evening after 7 straight hours, I couldn’t break 151 lb. Later, I might battle out that I used to be battling a fever and I couldn’t break into the ultimate 5 lbs as my physique began to close down. Somewhat than risking enormous well being penalties and presumably calling the battle off, fortunately we had been capable of transfer the load to 155. At weigh ins, I nonetheless felt off however I used to be certain it will go away after I rehydrated and ate. Afterward that evening I nonetheless felt off and was affected by chilly sweats and no sleep. Lastly, I fell asleep at 6 am Saturday morning and wakened at 1 pm hoping to really feel higher. I couldn’t maintain any meals or water down nor might I get up to make use of the restroom.
I struggled with my very own ego, acquired on a name with Tiki (Ghosn) and Hunter (Campbell), and I made the choice to name off the battle. I dared to do one thing loopy for the love of preventing, however I acquired sick and my physique gave out on me. I wish to give the followers and my opponents my greatest efficiency each time I step into the cage. Diego Lopes I can solely think about what went off in your aspect, you don’t have anything however my respect and I’ll discuss to Hunter and Tiki and make this proper by you. To the UFC, Dana, Hunter, and the followers, thanks for having my again.” You should definitely go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
