Ortega Claims UFC Avoids Elite Outside Fighters

Brian Ortega says the UFC deliberately keeps certain elite fighters outside the organization because they would pose too much of a threat to its current roster.

The former featherweight title challenger made the comments while training with A.J. McKee, the former Bellator champion who challenges Rajabali Shaidullaev for the Rizin and vacant PFL featherweight titles at Super Rizin 5 on Sept. 5 in Osaka, Japan. Ortega praised McKee's skills and suggested the UFC functions more as a marketing vehicle than a true competitive testing ground.

"The UFC is just a marketing machine," Ortega said on Anatomy of a Fighter, as reported by Sherdog. "There [are] people outside [the UFC] that would whoop us, and they know it. They are not inviting them." He added that genuine technique and heart cannot be faked, saying McKee is at the highest level despite fighting outside the promotion.

Ortega returns to action against Renato Moicano at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The rematch comes after back-to-back losses for Ortega, who holds a 16-5 record. Moicano is 21-7 overall.

McKee carries a three-fight win streak into his title bout against the undefeated Shaidullaev, who is 19-0 with a perfect finishing rate. The September 5 card marks a unification clash between Rizin and PFL at featherweight.