Brian Ortega Shares Detail on UFC 331 Withdrawal, Eyes November Return

Brian Ortega has provided further insight into the injury that forced his removal from the upcoming UFC 331 card. Scheduled to rematch Renato Moicano on September 19, Ortega was forced to withdraw due to a significant laceration sustained over his left eye during training camp. The fighter took to social media to share visual evidence of the cut, confirming why he could not proceed with the contest. This marks the second time a matchup between Ortega and Moicano has been cancelled in 2026; Ortega previously withdrew from their scheduled meeting at UFC 326 in March citing unrelated injuries. Despite the setback, the featherweight contender indicated that he is already looking ahead to a potential return to the Octagon later this year, teasing that a new fight is currently being targeted for November. With the fight off, the UFC has moved to adjust the card, with Renato Moicano now rebooked to face Tom Nolan. As the promotion navigates the fallout of the multiple cancellations between the two athletes, MMA observers will be watching closely to see if the UFC opts to revisit this pairing for a third time or if they will move in different directions for their respective late-2026 campaigns.

Source: MMA Fighting.