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Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega rematch targeted for UFC 331

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Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega rematch targeted for UFC 331

Brian Ortega is finally moving up to lightweight, and his first fight is against a former featherweight opponent.

MMA Fighting confirmed that Ortega is targeted to make his lightweight debut at UFC 331 taking on Renato Moicano. Leo Guimaraes first reported the bout. The event is expected to take place in Los Angeles on Sept. 19.

The remaatch was originally slated for UFC 326 in March but Ortega was forced to withdraw.

A two-time featherweight title challenger, Ortega has struggled with weight-cutting issues over the past few years, first pulling out of a bout with Diego Lopes at UFC 303 (the two later fought at UFC 306), and then struggling to make 145 for his bout against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai, necessitating a last-minute change to make the fight a catch-weight bout. These weight-cutting issues have also coincided with a drop in performance from “T-City,†having lost both bouts.

Currently ranked No. 10 in the UFC lightweight rankings, Moicano spent his first eight UFC fights at featherweight, including a 2017 submission loss to Ortega at UFC 214. But since moving to lightweight in 2020, “Money†has found his stride, amassing an 8-4 record in the division and challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311. While Moicano lost that short-notice fight and his subsequent one to Beneil Dariush, “Money†rebounded with a submission win over rising prospect Chris Duncan at UFC Vegas 115 in April.

UFC 331 takes place on Sep. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The main and co-main events have yet to be announced.

Mike Heck and Damon Martin contributed to this report.

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MMA

Dana White says fans will lose their minds for UFC Hawaii

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Dana White says fans will 'lose their minds' for UFC Hawaii
Hawaii is a targeted future destination for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

During his recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,†UFC CEO
Dana
White was asked where he'd like to stage an event the promotion
has never visited previously. Hawaii immediately came to mind,
although he explained that infrastructure has prevented the
promotion from staging an event there, but a new arena is
apparently in the works.

Dana White points to a new Hawaii arena as the key to UFC’s
long-awaited debut

According to White, the state’s existing infrastructure has been
the biggest obstacle to staging an event. However, with a new arena
targeted for 2028-29, taking the promotion to the island state is a
priority.

“One of our biggest markets since day one has been Hawaii, and
we've still never put on an event in Hawaii,†White said. “We've
had multiple world champions from Hawaii. The infrastructure there
can't support a UFC event. But now they're building a new arena
there. Supposed to be done in [2028, 2029].â€

White believes Hawaii would be a particularly attractive
destination for both fans and the UFC’s staff.

“I like destinations where people want to go,†White added. “When
we do UFC Hawaii, people will lose their minds. Who doesn't want to
go to UFC Hawaii? So, off the top of my head, you’re firing that at
me… When I think about UFC Hawaii, that will be a fun one.â€

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MMA

Jason Jackson says UFC doesnt want him disrupting Islam Makhachevs division

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Jason Jackson says UFC doesn't want him disrupting Islam Makhachev's division
Jason
Jackson believes he can disrupt the
Ultimate Fighting Championship's welterweight division and
upset the reigning champ.

Jackson recently called for a UFC signing while making a bold
claim. The former Bellator
welterweight champion believes he can defeat UFC welterweight king
Islam
Makhachev. Furthermore, the 35-year-old says the premier
promotion doesn't want him on the roster, considering his age.

Jason Jackson explains why he believes he can beat UFC champ
Islam Makhachev

Makhachev faced one of the toughest tests of his career while
successfully defending his welterweight title against Ian Garry at
UFC
330. Jackson claims he had his way with Garry in training and
never struggled against the Irishman.

Jackson also handed Yaroslav
Amosov his lone career loss. According to the Jamaican, Amosov,
who has finished both of his UFC wins so far, is a better fighter
than Makhachev. He believes the UFC isn't offering him a contract
as they fear that he would turn the division on its head.

“I want to go to the UFC. I'm not even gonna beat around the bush
because I feel like I could beat Makhachev,†Jackson said in an X
post. “And the reason why I said that is that he struggled with
Ian. And no disrespect to Ian, I done put Ian down in the gym. I
don't struggle with him. And from what I did to Yaroslav, I think
he is better than Makhachev. If I get into the UFC, I feel like
that's one that the UFC don't want, is a guy my age coming from a
different promotion, going there and just disrupting their whole
pecking order. I feel like that's why they are holding out on me
getting in there.â€

Jackson (20-6) is 2-2 in his last four outings and most recently
scored a 20-second knockout win at
Most Valuable Promotions' inaugural mixed martial arts event
this past May.

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Undefeated UFC prospect Bilal Hasan: ‘I lose every day in the gym’

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Undefeated UFC prospect Bilal Hasan: ‘I lose every day in the gym’
Bilal
Hasan is unburdened by his perfect record.

Hasan (10-0) is rapidly rising to stardom less than a week after
making his
Ultimate Fighting Championship debut. He earned his UFC
contract with a 45-second knockout win on
Dana White's Contender Series less than three weeks prior.

Bilal Hasan explains why protecting his 10-0 record doesn’t
consume him

Hasan says he isn't concerned about losing his perfect record.
While many undefeated prospects are devastated after their first
loss, Hasan says he is used to losing in the gym. He claims he
loves the sport as it gives him space for endless growth and is
excited to be a student and keep learning forever.

“Not at all, man. I lose every day in the gym, and it's cool,â€
Hasan told Bedtime MMA. “I love that, man; that's how it should be.
The No. 1 thing I love about martial arts, and I know you train as
well, is the learning, man. The constant being a student, being a
sponge, it's so cool. There's so much for me to develop, and that's
what excites me truly.â€

Hasan has finished nine of his 10 career wins so far. Apart from
his electrifying performances inside the cage, Hasan's slick dance
moves and affability on the mic have further boosted his
stardom.

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