Renato Moicano rips Brian Ortega for UFC 331 withdrawal

Renato Moicano unloaded on Brian Ortega for withdrawing from their UFC 331 lightweight bout just five days before fight night, characterizing the pullout as a betrayal and the latest in a pattern of unreliability.

Ortega (16–5) withdrew after sustaining a cut above his eye during training that required stitches, forcing the cancellation of his matchup with Moicano (21–7) at UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles. Moicano has been rebooked to face rising prospect Tom Nolan (11–1) in the main event of a Fight Night card on October 31 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

On his YouTube channel, Moicano expressed anger at losing what he viewed as a favorable matchup. "Ortega chickened out. Something I never expected whatsoever," Moicano said. "Quite simply, the easiest fight in the division just slipped right through my fingers." Moicano recalled that Ortega had also withdrawn from a March matchup between them, compounding his frustration.

Moicano further criticized Ortega's recent history, noting the pullout follows a weight-miss against Aljamain Sterling last year. Ortega had previously blamed personal issues, including his breakup with fellow UFC fighter Tracy Cortez, for that miss. Moicano questioned why those problems persisted three years later and concluded that Ortega has forfeited credibility in the division. "Nobody is ever going to trust you again," Moicano added, questioning who would be willing to face Ortega going forward.