In a shocking turn of events, the co-main event of UFC 303 underwent a major change just hours before the weigh-ins as Brian Ortega pulled out of the fight and Dan Ige stepped in as a late replacement. The bout, initially scheduled in the featherweight division, had to be moved to the lightweight category due to Ortega's struggles with weight cutting.

Ortega, who had been planning a move to lightweight, was put in a challenging position when he received the call to get back down to 146lb. However, he failed to make the required limit, leading to the decision to transition the fight to the lightweight category. Meanwhile, Diego Lopes had already successfully cut weight, reaching a low of 151lb.

Adding to the unfortunate turn of events, Ortega appeared weak on the scales and reports suggested that he was dealing with an illness. As a result, the unprecedented decision was made to replace him with Dan Ige, who was already in camp and ranked 13th at 145lb.

During the UFC 303 broadcast, a text message from Ige to UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell was shared, expressing his willingness to step up for the fight. Ige showcased determination, stating, "I've been in camp for three months. I'm the healthiest I've ever been. This is some legendary sh*t right here. Built different."

After the sudden change, the Nevada State Athletic Commission re-weighed Lopes, who recorded a weight of 161lb. Ige weighed in at 164lb, resulting in a catchweight bout at 164lb, significantly heavier than the originally planned weight for Lopes just 48 hours prior.

The UFC 303 event seems to be plagued by misfortune, with the main event between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler falling through at the same time as the original co-main event. Now, the co-main event has faced yet another reshuffling on short notice.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission swiftly evaluated the situation and sanctioned the new co-main event. Jeff Mullen, Executive Director of the commission, confirmed that Ige's fight was permissible as he was already licensed, had completed all the necessary medical requirements, and fought in February, winning by first-round knockout.

With Ige ranked 14th and Lopes ranked 15th in their division, the match was deemed suitable. Mullen assured that Ige was properly prepared for the fight, having been training for a July 20 bout. The commission had confirmed Ige's readiness with his trainer, Eric Nicksick.

The last-minute replacement mirrors a similar situation in Anaheim, California, where one of the Tafa brothers stepped in for the other on the day of the fight due to an injury or illness.

As UFC 303 approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating how the unexpected changes will impact the event. Will Dan Ige rise to the occasion and seize this opportunity to make a name for himself, or will Diego Lopes prove his resilience despite the last-minute adjustments? The answers will be revealed in the cage on fight night.