"Give him Justin" - Fans react as Brian Ortega confirms eyeing a move to lightweight division

Before accepting a short-notice fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 303, Brian Ortega said he was working on moving up to lightweight for his next bout. Despite the fight falling through, Ortega accepted a re-booking of the matchup with Lopes but confirmed that he is still thinking about a change in divisions.

In his Noche UFC 306 media day interviews, Ortega said he wants to "stay busy" at this point in his career regardless of division. 'T-City' still left the door open to potentially staying at featherweight but felt as if the title picture at 145 pounds is too clogged to re-enter.

Ortega said:

"One-thousand percent [I am still considering lightweight]... It's like a line to fight for the [featherweight] belt... My goal is to stay busy, and if there's nothing for me in the featherweight division then I'll move up."

Many fans had thoughts on Ortega's comments, including suggestions for potential fights. Fantasy matchups include Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker and more.

One fan suggesting Ortega fights Gaethje, commented:

"Give him Justin [Gaethje]"

View more fan reactions to Brian Ortega discussing a move to lightweight below:

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Brian Ortega faces Diego Lopes at Noche UFC 306

Before Brian Ortega can think of a potential move in weight class, the former two-time featherweight title challenger will have to deal with the surging Diego Lopes at Noche UFC 306. Even though he is the higher-ranked fighter, 'T-City' is a betting underdog to the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace at The Sphere.

Ortega was an underdog when the two were supposed to meet at UFC 303 and the line has widened after Lopes picked up a victory over Dan Ige at International Fight Week.

Since losing to Alexander Volkanovski in his second shot at the featherweight title at UFC 266, Ortega has picked up just one win over Yair Rodriguez in February. The third-round submission was his first stoppage win since knocking out Frankie Edgar in 2018.