UFC 331 Hit by Late Withdrawal as Brian Ortega Pulls Out

UFC 331 Hit by Late Withdrawal as Brian Ortega Pulls Out

UFC 331 has suffered a late setback after Brian Ortega withdrew from his scheduled lightweight clash with Renato Moicano due to a cut above his eye that required stitches.

Ortega was expected to make his lightweight debut against Moicano in Los Angeles, but the injury has forced the bout off the card. Moicano will now headline a UFC Fight Night event on October 31 against Tom Nolan, extending his training camp by another month.

Ortega, 35, apologised to fans and said he was particularly disappointed to miss the fight in his hometown. The former featherweight title challenger added that he expects to return in November after recovering from the injury.

Despite the withdrawal, UFC 331 will proceed with a 12-fight card, headlined by Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja in a flyweight title clash, while Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy and Gable Steveson takes on Sean Sharaf on the main card.