Brian Ortega will no longer fight on this weekend's UFC 331 bill after suffering an injury.

The UFC 331 card in Los Angeles has faced a late alteration, with Ortega forced to withdraw with just days out from fight night.

Dana White talking at the UFC 331 launch press conference
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White's card has suffered a late blow with Ortega off the bill and Moicano moved to OctoberCredit: Getty

He was due to face Renato Moicano in a captivating lightweight clash on the main card.

Ortega suffers injury - fight moved to Halloween

But after being spotted in public with a nasty gash above his eye, it has been confirmed by the UFC that the clash will no longer take place.

It has been suggested he required stitches for the cut and it was badly swollen, which means he cannot step into the cage.

As a result of Ortega's withdrawal, a late replacement cannot be found for his opponent Moicano.

Now the Brazilian has instead been moved to an October 31 main event against Tom Nolan as part of a UFC Fight Night.

It will mean his training camp will now go on for one month longer, as he looks to pick up a second straight win.

Ortega's withdrawal is the second consecutive time, having also been scheduled to face Moicano in March, but pulling out with nagging injuries.

Ortega releases statement after UFC 331 pull-out

The 35-year-old has taken to social media to apologise to fans, and believes he will be back in November to make his 155lbs bow.

He wrote on Instagram: "This one hurts," Ortega wrote on Instagram. "I have to pull out of the fight because of the stitches in my eye.

"I’m on weight, I’ve been training my a** off, and this has honestly been one of the best camps I’ve ever had.

Brian Ortega in the UFC octagon
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Ortega is being forced to miss out after suffering a late injury in trainingCredit: Getty

"I was really looking forward to fighting at home in Los Angeles in front of my family, friends, and everyone who’s been supporting me.

"My next fight is in soon, so I’m getting right back to training. We’ve brought some new people into camp and I’m excited to show you guys a new side of me.

"Thank you to everyone who’s been supporting me through all of this. I’ll see you guys in November."

It is a frustrating blow for the former featherweight title challenger who is looking to launch himself head first into a new division.

Who is on UFC 331 card?

Nonetheless the show goes ahead with a 12-fight card taking place.

talkSPORT.com has collectively voted on the best fighters to form a regularly updated UFC pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings system for the rest of 2026 and beyond.

Our P4P list will be updated regularly based on performances in the Octagon — with wins, records, title wins and defences, calibre of opponents, methods of victory and much more all determining who makes it.

UFC champions Islam Makhachev, Tom Aspinall and Sean Strickland feature - but big stars such as Alex Pereira and Arman Tsarukyan miss out.

Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja will headline the clash, in what is promised to be an exciting duel for the flyweight title.

Jon Jones' heavyweight protege Gable Steveson has now been moved up to the main card, as he looks to pick up another win against Sean Sharaf.

In the chief support, Arman Tsarukyan looks to keep busy and maintain course for a lightweight title shot when he takes on Mauricio Ruffy.

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