Overview
- The UFC announced Monday that Brian Ortega has been removed from his scheduled lightweight bout with Renato Moicano at UFC 331 after suffering a cut above his eye that required stitches.
- Ortega posted on Instagram that he was on weight, had a strong camp and expects to return in November but provided no official medical timetable.
- Renato Moicano was pulled from the Los Angeles card and officially rebooked to headline UFC Fight Night (UFC Vegas 123) on Oct. 31 at the Meta APEX against rising lightweight Tom Nolan.
- Tom Nolan, a 26-year-old Australian on a five-fight win streak, will make his first UFC main-event appearance and gains a higher-profile jump in competition as a result of the change.
- UFC 331’s lineup was trimmed to 12 fights after the removal, with Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf moved onto the main card, illustrating how late injuries force quick promotional reshuffles and affect fighters’ trajectories.