Ortega Pulls Out Of UFC 331 After Training Injury

Brian Ortega pulled out of UFC 331 on Monday after suffering a cut above his eye that required stitches, ending his planned lightweight debut against Renato Moicano in Los Angeles this weekend.

The featherweight contender had been scheduled to move up to 155 pounds for the first time after a difficult stretch that saw him lose four of five fights. Ortega posted on Instagram that he had already made weight and completed what he called one of his best training camps.

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Ortega Targets November Return At Lightweight

"This one hurts," Ortega wrote, per MMA Mania. "I have to pull out of the fight because of the stitches in my eye. I'm on weight, I've been training my ass off, and this has honestly been one of the best camps I've ever had."

The withdrawal marks another setback for Ortega, who nearly died cutting weight before a previous bout in Shanghai. Photos circulating on social media showed him with a bandage over his eyebrow at a restaurant.

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Moicano has already been rebooked for a Halloween main event against Australian prospect Tom Nolan. Ortega said he plans to return in November with new coaches added to his team.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Brian Ortega reacts to last-second UFC 331 pullout: ‘This one hurts’