Diego Lopes batters Brian Ortega in UFC 306 decision win

Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes were scheduled to meet at UFC 303 in June but Ortega was forced out of the bout due to illness the day of the event.  Dan Ige stepped in as a replacement and Lopes picked up his fourth consecutive win.  

The Ortega and Lopes matchup was rebooked for Saturday on the UFC 306 main card at the Sphere in Las Vegas.  Ortega entered the fight ranked third in the 145-pound division while Lopes was ranked thirteenth.  Ortega last fought in February, defeating Yair Rodriguez via submission earning a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus.    

They touched gloves and stayed in the center of the cage.  After a brief feeling out period, Lopes landed a right hand the staggered Ortega.  Ortega got to his feet but Lopes kept the pressure on and landed more punches.  Lopes gained top position and hammered away.  Lopes stood over Ortega.  Ortega delivered up kids from the bottom until Lopes dropped back into his guard.  

With just over two minutes remaining in the round, Lopes let Ortega up.  Ortega delivered back-to-back kicks to the body.  He was bleeding around his left eye.  Ortega worked behind his jab but Lopes connected with a counter right hand.  Ortega delivered another kick to the body in the closing seconds.  MMAWeekly score the round 10-9 for Lopes.  

They met in the middle to start the second frame.  Lopes landed a leg kick.  As Ortega moved in the pocket, Lopes met him with a clean combination.  Ortega responded with a right hand before being hit with one.  Ortega looked to get the fight to the ground but Lopes defended the attempt.  They exchanged leg kicks and pace slowed through the middle of the round.  

Lopes landed a counter right hand.  He went high with a kick and Ortega just took it.  Lopes continued to land counter shots.  Ortega worked to stay long using his jab.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Lopes.  

Ortega’s lead leg showed the damage from the leg kicks of Lopes.  Ortega began pressing forward in the final round.  Lopes continued to target Ortega’s lead leg with kicks.  Ortega pressured Lopes and changed levels looking to get the fight to the ground.  Lopes remained standing.  They stood in front of each other and exchanged.  Lopes connected with a combination that hurt Ortega and caused him to retreat.  

The two separated with just over a minute left in the round.  Ortega pressed forward knowing he likely needed a finish.  Lopes landed a left hand that knocked Ortega down.  He pounced on him and delivered right hands.  Ortega got to his feet and they slugged it out in the final seconds.    

The judges scored the fight for Lopes via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 30–26, 30–27, and 30–27.