The UFC can have found a alternative for Brian Ortega.
After UFC 325 on Saturday marks the second numbered event within the space of two weeks, the subsequent marquee card won’t be until March 7.
In Las Vegas, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira’s BMF rematch will headline UFC 326. While that fight should deliver the products, the remaining of the cardboard has been coming under fire.
After confirmation that Caio Borralho vs Reinier de Ridder will co-headline caused backlash, the lineup took a large hit when Brian Ortega withdrew from UFC 326, delaying his move to lightweight.
That news left ex-title challenger Renato Moicano without an opponent, but he can have a savior in the shape of 1 at all times entertaining 155-pounder.
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Repeat or revenge?
Tell us how Max Holloway vs Charles Oliveira 2 plays out at UFC 326.
Esteban Ribovics agrees to fight ex-title challenger Renato Moicano at UFC 326
The clash between two former title contenders in Moicano and Ortega was amongst essentially the most intriguing on the UFC 326 card. But ‘T-City’s’ likely alternative can be renowned for putting on a show.
In keeping with his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Esteban Ribovics has agreed to step in and fight Moicano in Las Vegas on March 7.
The knowledge was reported by MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin.
If that latest bout gets confirmed, it might be an enormous opportunity for the 15-2 prospect to interrupt into contention at 155 kilos.
‘El Gringo’ has won 4 of his six fights since an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022. He’s coming off a choice victory over Elves Brener last August, which remarkably saw Ribovics collect his third straight bonus for competing within the ‘Fight of the Night’.
Moicano is just not one to draw back from a battle, so the Argentine may very well be in line to increase that streak of additional paychecks to 4 if this fight becomes official.
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UFC 326 has now lost two former title challengers
Ortega is just not the one big name to have fallen off the lineup on March 7.
Paulo Costa also pulled out of UFC 326. The previous middleweight title challenger was scheduled to fight Brunno Ferreira but has since been booked at a unique event in a unique weight class.
‘Borrachinha’ will now arrive at light heavyweight against undefeated contender Azamat Murzakanov. That matchup is among the many bouts confirmed for April’s UFC 327 event in Miami.
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