Brian Ortega Withdraws From UFC 331 Moicano Rematch With Cut

Brian Ortega has withdrawn from his scheduled rematch with Renato Moicano at UFC 331 after suffering a cut over his left eye that required stitches, and he says his next fight is already lined up for November.

Ortega posted photos and video of the injury on social media, explaining the cut cost him a fight he had circled for months. "I have to pull out of the fight because of the stitches in my eye," Ortega wrote, adding that he was "on weight" and had been "training my ass off" through what he called one of his best training camps. The UFC 331 card was set to take place in Los Angeles, and Ortega noted he had been looking forward to fighting in front of family and friends there.

Why This Withdrawal Stings for Ortega

This is the second time in 2026 that Ortega has pulled out of a fight with Moicano, having also withdrawn from UFC 326 in March due to injury. Ortega has not fought since losing a decision to Aljamain Sterling in August 2025, and he is now working through a two-fight skid that also includes a loss to Diego Lopes. Ortega said he is already looking ahead, writing that his "next fight is in soon" and that he has brought new people into his training camp. He said fans would see him back in the cage in November.

With Ortega out, Moicano has been rebooked to headline against Tom Nolan.

Betting Angle

Two straight withdrawals from the same opponent is the kind of pattern sportsbooks and matchmakers both notice. Ortega has now had fights fall through on short notice in back-to-back UFC cycles, which tends to push oddsmakers toward more caution when pricing his next appearance, particularly around durability and camp reliability rather than pure skill. For bettors, the more relevant line to watch now shifts to Moicano's rebooked headliner against Tom Nolan, where Moicano steps in as the far more experienced name on the card. Until Ortega's November return is finalized with an opponent, there is no line to speak of on his side, but expect the market to build in some risk premium given the recent history of pulled fights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Brian Ortega pull out of UFC 331?

Brian Ortega withdrew from his UFC 331 rematch with Renato Moicano after suffering a cut over his left eye that needed stitches.

Who replaced Brian Ortega at UFC 331?

Renato Moicano was rebooked to headline UFC Vegas 123 against Tom Nolan after Brian Ortega withdrew.

When will Brian Ortega fight next?

Brian Ortega said his next fight is already being arranged and that he expects to return to the cage in November.