Thu Sep 12 01:01:02 UTC 2024: ## Brian Ortega Ready to Move Up in Weight After UFC 306 Showdown

Las Vegas, NV – Brian “T-City” Ortega is set to face Diego Lopes at UFC 306 this weekend, but his sights are set on a higher weight class. While the featherweight bout is a crucial matchup for Ortega, he confirmed his desire to move up to lightweight, potentially as early as next year.

“1000 percent [Lightweight is the goal],” Ortega said at UFC 306 media day. “It’s like a line to fight for the belt, and depending on how this fight goes this weekend it’s gonna determine whether the fans believe that I deserve another shot or not. Either or, my goal is to stay busy and if there’s nothing for me in the Featherweight division then I’ll move up.”

Ortega’s potential move to lightweight comes after a successful return to action at UFC Mexico in February, where he defeated Yair Rodriguez. The fight with Lopes was initially scheduled for UFC 303 in June but was postponed due to Ortega’s illness.

Ortega’s UFC 306 bout against Lopes is part of a stacked card that features a championship main event between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili, as well as a flyweight title fight between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. The event will take place at the Las Vegas Sphere, a brand new venue designed for immersive entertainment.

With a victory over Lopes, Ortega hopes to solidify his position as a top contender in the featherweight division. However, he is clearly looking beyond that, aiming to make his mark at lightweight and potentially challenge for a title in the future.

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