Brian Ortega Withdraws From UFC 326 Lightweight Debut

Brian Ortega’s highly anticipated move to the UFC lightweight division has hit another roadblock, as the former featherweight title challenger officially withdrew from his scheduled bout against Renato Moicano at UFC 326 due to lingering injuries. The fight, set for March 7, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was meant to mark Ortega’s debut at 155 pounds—a transition fans and pundits have been watching for more than a year. Instead, the search is now on for a new opponent for Moicano as the UFC scrambles to keep the event’s card intact.

Ortega, 34, announced his withdrawal on January 31 through an Instagram video, where he offered both reassurance and disappointment to his supporters. "I'm OK, health is good, no surgeries or nothing crazy like that," Ortega said, addressing the speculation around his health. "But I do need to take a little bit of some time off to nurse these injuries that I have right now. It just sucks, where it's not crazy like that where I need to have surgery, but I have to rest it and let it heal and chill, and get some physical therapy." According to Ortega, the injuries—though not severe enough to require surgery—demand rest and rehabilitation before he can return to full training.

For Ortega, this latest setback is part of a frustrating pattern. His career over the past several years has been marred by injuries, weight-cutting complications, and lengthy absences from competition. After first discussing a move to lightweight back in 2024, Ortega found himself repeatedly sidetracked. He was originally scheduled to fight Diego Lopes at UFC 303 in June 2024 but was forced to withdraw due to medical complications during his weight cut, missing the featherweight limit and ultimately being replaced on fight day. The episode was not an isolated incident; Ortega’s struggles to make weight have been a recurring theme, culminating in a hospitalization during his cut for a bout against Aljamain Sterling in August 2025. Despite being cleared to compete, Ortega lost that fight by unanimous decision, marking his second straight defeat.

The difficulties making the featherweight limit prompted Ortega’s long-planned move to lightweight, but fate had other plans. In his Instagram announcement, Ortega sounded both frustrated and determined: "It's just a little bit delayed. Nothing crazy. I'm still planning on fighting twice this year. Look out." The message was clear—while the March 7 bout is off, Ortega remains optimistic about returning to the Octagon later in 2026.

Ortega’s record stands at 16-5 overall, with an 8-5 mark in the UFC. He’s no stranger to high-stakes fights, having challenged for the featherweight title twice, first against Max Holloway in 2018 and again versus Alexander Volkanovski in 2021. Both title bids ended in defeat, but each earned Fight of the Night honors, cementing Ortega’s reputation as a tough and entertaining competitor.

His scheduled opponent, Renato Moicano, now finds himself in limbo. The Brazilian lightweight, who brings a 20-7-1 record (12-7 in the UFC), is also coming off two consecutive losses, having recently fallen to Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush. The matchup with Ortega was seen as a pivotal opportunity for both fighters—a chance for Moicano to snap his losing streak and for Ortega to reinvent himself in a new division. With Ortega out, the UFC is actively seeking a replacement, but as of press time, no substitute has been announced.

This isn’t the first time UFC 326 has faced shakeups. The card, headlined by a BMF title bout between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, has already seen late changes and continues to evolve as the promotion works to maintain its appeal. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see who will step in to face Moicano, with the event just weeks away.

Ortega’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After a stellar early run, he hit a rough patch beginning in December 2018, going 2-5 at featherweight and enduring long stints on the sidelines—from December 2018 to October 2020, and again from July 2022 to February 2024. Injuries, weight issues, and missed opportunities have tested his resolve, but Ortega’s willingness to keep pushing forward remains a hallmark of his fighting spirit. As he put it after announcing his withdrawal, "I'm going to be on that mission. That's it."

Beyond the Octagon, Ortega is a familiar figure to international fans as well. Notably, he was involved in a 2020 incident in Las Vegas with Korean singer Park Jae-beom, for which he later apologized, stating, "It's in the past. I talked with Park Jae-beom and Jung Chan-sung. It's all over. However, it's my fault that I did a hand-wringing to anyone. As I got closer to God, I learned (that it was my fault)." The episode, while unrelated to his fighting career, added a layer of complexity to his public persona.

As for Moicano, the uncertainty looms large. With UFC 326 fast approaching, all eyes are on the UFC matchmakers to see who will step up. Moicano, who has also faced his share of adversity in recent bouts, remains on the card for now, but the identity of his next opponent is anyone’s guess. The stakes are high—not just for the fighters, but for the event itself, as the promotion looks to deliver a memorable night in Las Vegas.

For Ortega, the immediate future is about healing and recovery. He’s made it clear that surgery is off the table, but physical therapy and rest are non-negotiable if he hopes to return at full strength. Fans will have to wait a little longer to see his lightweight debut, but if history is any guide, Ortega’s resilience and determination are sure to bring him back to the cage before long.

With the clock ticking down to UFC 326, the drama continues to unfold. The card remains stacked, but the loss of Ortega vs. Moicano has left a noticeable gap. As the UFC works behind the scenes, fans are left to wonder—who will seize the opportunity and step into the spotlight on March 7?