UFC 306 results: Diego Lopes defeats Brian Ortega, demands featherweight title fight next

Brian Ortega — a veteran fighter with a checkered past — found himself in an unexpected situation tonight (Sat., Sept. 14, 2024) when he faced the red-hot featherweight contender. Diego Lopezat UFC 306 from inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After narrowly missing out on the UFC featherweight title, Ortega was seen as a stepping stone for Lopes, a rising star who took a big step forward against “T-City” under unusual circumstances. Conor McGregorThe broken pinky toe led to his exclusion from UFC 303 (seriously), Ortega and Lopes stepped in to save the event.

However, Ortega was unable to cut weight in time, which led to the fight being postponed… until now.

And now here they were – the stage was set for a battle of the generations. Ortega, the veteran warrior, fighting to preserve his legacy. Lopes, the hungry upstart, fighting for a better future.

The stakes were high and in the end something had to give. And when the chaotic dust finally settled, youth triumphed over experience and Lopes secured a very impressive unanimous decision victory over a proven veteran.

Lopes got off to an incredible start, landing a beautiful combination that stunned “T-City,” and eventually landing on the ground next to the cage as he retreated. Lopes took a deep breath to avoid getting too excited, but he played a dangerous game when Ortega was down for about a minute, allowing him to recover and play with his feet while on his back. Eventually, Lopes made the smart decision and let him get back to his feet, with blood dripping from his left eye. Ortega actually seemed to have the upper hand early on, though, as Lopes ducked under a left straight and landed a solid counter combination as the opening period came to a close.

Lopes landed a similarly slick combination early in the second stanza, but Ortega held up well this time, landing a nice right hook moments later. Ortega attempted a takedown after about 90 seconds, but Lopes effortlessly pulled his foot out and landed several hard punches. Nice straight left from Ortega, who took a head kick moments later. Overhand right from Lopes, then he knocked Ortega off his feet with a hard leg kick – a strategy he often used again. Another hard kick from Lopes, who often touched his Adam's apple after each punch, perhaps a sign that something was wrong.

Between rounds, Ortega's corner told him he needed a finisher if he wanted to win – a familiar situation for the Mexican fighter, who has a history of epic comebacks. The third round was more even, going back and forth with Ortega taking the lead. Lopes was a more than willing dance partner, firing back in the center of the Octagon. Lopes seemed to have the upper hand in the end, delivering a superb display of skill, toughness and intelligence, no matter what Joe Rogan – a biased Ortega player – wanted to say on the broadcast. Lopes knocked Ortega down once again to earn a fantastic – and important – unanimous points victory.

Title fight in 2025?

Final result: Lopes defeats Ortega by unanimous decision.

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