Dustin Ortiz punching John Moraga (photo via FOX Sports.com / UFC)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Dustin Ortiz is the first to admit that Jussier “Formiga” wasn’t really on his radar as his next opponent, but when the UFC called about a scrap between the two, the flyweight contender jumped at the opportunity.

Ortiz will face “Formiga” this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 95, which will take place in Brasilia, Brazil. The bout comes at a time when Ortiz (15-5) is looking to rebound from a decision loss to Wilson Reis in January, and as he sits in the #12 ranking at 125.

“Formiga” (18-4), meanwhile, dropped a tightly contested, split decision loss to Henry Cejudo in his last fight. The Brazilian, who decisioned Reis in his fight prior to that, is currently ranked #3.

Recently Ortiz appeared on Full Contact Fighter Radio, and the Roufusport fighter was asked for his reaction, when he found out he’d been offered “Formiga”.

“To be honest I wasn’t really expecting “Formiga”, especially, coming off of a loss,” said Ortiz. “He’s #3; I believe I’ve dropped all the way back to #12. I’m still in the top 15…So it was a bit of  shock, but it’s like man, what an opportunity. I’ve always fought the best of the best since I’ve been in the UFC.”

Since Ortiz arrived in the UFC back in 2013, the flyweight has faced fellow contenders like Ray Borg, Justin Scoggins, Joseph Benavidez, John Moraga and the aforementioned Reis. During his run with the promotion, the 27 year-old has gone 4-3.

“So it was no surprise but it was like okay, somebody’s believing in me that I’m the guy to get the job done,” added Ortiz. “So right away I was like definitely, let’s take this fight, and make the most of it.”

UFC FN 95 will be hosted by Brasilia’s Nilson Nelson Gymnasium. In the main event, Cris “Cyborg” Justino will face Lina Lansberg in a catchweight bout at 140.