Brian Ortega claims UFC avoids fighters who could ‘whoop us’

Brian Ortega, a former UFC title challenger, has come forward with allegations that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) may be intentionally avoiding signing certain fighters who could potentially outperform their roster. Ortega has been training alongside A.J. McKee, who is scheduled to face Rajabali Shaidullaev for the Rizin featherweight title and the vacant Professional Fighters League featherweight title on September 5 in Osaka, Japan.

McKee and Ortega have been collaborating in preparation for their upcoming bouts, with Ortega set to return at UFC 331.

According to Ortega, some of the top fighters in the world, who train outside the UFC, could easily overwhelm the UFC roster. He made this statement on Anatomy of a Fighter, suggesting that the UFC isn't signing certain fighters because they recognize the threat these fighters pose. "The UFC is just a marketing machine," Ortega remarked, implying that the promotion is selective about the fighters it invites to compete within its ranks.

He added, "There are people outside [the UFC] that would whoop us, and they know it. They are not inviting them." Ortega praised McKee, stating that he knows what he's doing and is at the highest level, emphasizing that technique, skill, heart, and mindset cannot be faked.