Dan Ige Replaces Ortega in UFC 303 Co-Main

In an unprecedented move, Dan Ige stepped in on just hours' notice to replace Brian Ortega in the co-main event of UFC 303 after Ortega withdrew due to illness. The fight against Diego Lopes, originally scheduled at 155 pounds, was adjusted to a 165-pound catchweight. Ige, already in training for a July fight, weighed in at 164.5 pounds while Lopes weighed 161 pounds. This last-minute change marks a historic moment for the UFC, as Ige didn't even weigh in the day before. The event, held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, had already seen multiple withdrawals, including its original headliner featuring Conor McGregor. UFC 303 is headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.