‘Crying Blood!’ Ortega Has ‘To Make Some Moves To Get Better’

Slayer would be proud of Diego Lopes’ performance at UFC 306 against Brian Ortega.

My fellow metalheads will understand that reference, but nonetheless, Lopes put a beatdown on Ortega to secure his fifth consecutive UFC victory (26-6). The unanimous decision win saw two-time Featherweight title challenger, Ortega, nearly finish on two occasions in the first and third rounds and left him with some lasting damage.

It’s nothing new for the wildly tough “T-City,” however. As he heals up during this following week, Ortega confirms that there are no serious injuries like breaks or tears to any ligaments. His eye appears to have taken the brunt of the punishment, though.

“Face is a little bit swollen, lip is a little bit swollen,” Ortega said in an Instagram story (h/t MMA Junkie). “Obviously, the eye was crying for a bit, but it is what it is. I’ll be crying blood for a bit. Leg is swollen. I’m putting some cream on it.

“We’re good mentally, physically,” he continued. “Nothing is broken. Like I said, the prayer for me was just get me out of this fight without any surgery or things like that. We’re doing good. I did have some time to reflect obviously. I’ve got to make some moves to get better. That’s it. But I’m very thankful for you guys. The amount of love and support and messages. Thank you, guys. For real. To guys like me, it means a lot.”

With the loss, Ortega, 33, fell to 2-4 in his last six outings (16-4, 1 no contest overall). Before he was originally slated to fight Ortega at UFC 303 in June 2024, he stated how a move to Lightweight was in the cards.