This is the UFC 306 live blog for Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes, the headline fight on the pay-per-view main card this Saturday in Las Vegas.

Ortega and Lopes were originally scheduled to fight at UFC 303 in June, until a series of unfortunate events forced Ortega to pull out just hours before the bout. Normally, that would have been a catastrophic end, but Lopes and the UFC found an unprecedented solution: Dan Ige showed up at the arena and stepped in as a replacement with only a few hours’ notice.

Lopes ultimately defeated Ige, but more importantly, he won the hearts and minds of fans with his willingness to fight anyone, at any time. It also made him a darling of the UFC, who promptly granted his request to rebook the fight for UFC 306.

Watch the live blog of the UFC 306 fight below.

Before the match:

For this one they reveal the full UFC 307 lineup and Jose Aldo in the prelims is a sight to behold. Also the fourth from the last.

We are really looking forward to this featherweight match that we had to miss in July.

The Sphere shows the celebration of the Independence Day bell. Super cool.

Here comes Diego Lopes and the crowd is rightly pumped up. How can you not like this guy?

Enter Ortega. I would say the same thing about him, but we know Jed Meshew exists.

Round 1:

Fighters touch gloves and it’s time.

A huge right-left hook combo hits Ortega early and hurts him badly. Lopes swarms out to get the finish. Lopes slams away with ground and pound. Ortega looks for a grip to find a submission. Lopes jumps in and gets half mount and the back of Ortega as they scramble briefly. Lopes stands as Ortega looks for upkicks. Hammerfists from the bottom by Ortega.

Lopes steps away to let Ortega stand up. Nice jab from Ortega. Uppercut sneaks through for Ortega as he starts punching again. Lopes seems a bit slower after the tidal wave, but lands a nice shovel hook. Overhand right lands for Lopes. Nice calf kick for Lopes. Ortega fires one back. Body hook followed by the left hook lands for Lopes.

30 seconds. Jab from Ortega. Another two-punch combo for Lopes misses, body kick for Ortega. Horn sounds.

MMA Fighting gives Lopes a 10-9 score in the round.

Round 2:

Calf kick starts the action for Lopes. Another quick two-punch combo connects for Lopes before the calf kick. Right hook catches Ortega as he moves forward. Right hook becomes a magnet for Ortega’s face. Single leg takedown attempt thwarted by Lopes as he lands uppercuts in defense. Calf kick again for Lopes.

Leaping left hook misses for Lopes. Big right comes shortly after and lands for Lopes. Headbutt from Lopes is caught briefly on the landing. The speed of Lopes’ hands is evident. Lopes drops Ortega with the calf kick. They pile on.

Another hard calf kick chops Ortega away. One-two for Ortega. Ortega controls the calf kick this time. Something seems to be wrong with Lopes’ throat, because he keeps touching it.

Ortega’s jab might be at its best. Horn sounds.

MMA Fighting gives Lopes a 10-9 score in the round.

Round 3:

Ortega opens the round aiming for the jab. There is a big swell on Ortega’s leg from the kicks as he lands another. Left hook grazes Lopes. Double jab lands for Ortega. Lopes keeps chopping.

Left hand up comes through for Lopes. Big right hand follows. The jab starts to find its home for Ortega. Double hook combo for Lopes lands again. Ortega’s jab works well now as they trade straight right punches. Another low kick from Lopes.

Slick takedown attempt by Ortega is pushed against the cage. They trade right hands. Left hooks catch Lopes. Big one-two combo may have hurt Ortega again, but he plays it off well before Lopes gets him in standing back control. They break.

Lopes jab connects and Ortega fires back. Slapping hook by Lopes. Big slip and rip left hook hits Ortega to get the knockdown. Lopes takes the back looking for a late rear-naked but loses it. They trade wildly in the final seconds. Horn sounds. Wild ending there.

MMA Fighting gives the round 10-8 Lopes, 30-26 Lopes overall.

Official decision: 30-26, 30-27, 30-27 – Unanimous decision for Lopes.

After the fight:

Lopes has gotten so much better so fast. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him. And speaking of which, he doesn’t specifically call out, he just wants who he gets. Well, sir. That could be a title fight.