aljamain sterling wins Brian ortega No. UFC Shanghai. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC News
aljamain sterling got the better of the co-main event of the UFC Shanghai, held this Saturday (23), but the duel against Brian ortega It was far from thrilling the crowd. Surrounded by high expectations after 'T-City's' controversial weight-cutting failure, the fight was disappointing and marked by limited effectiveness, boos from the crowd, and a strategic victory for the former bantamweight champion.
As a result, aljamain sterling earns his second victory in three fights in the featherweight division (up to 65,7 kg) and takes another step toward the top of the division. Now with a record of 25 wins and five losses, the American demonstrates his adaptation to the new weight class and should rise in the rankings after the event.
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Yes, Brian ortega, who was facing questions after successive weight issues and inconsistent results, suffers another setback and momentarily eliminates any chance of challenging for the featherweight title. The Californian fighter now has four losses in his last six appearances and will have to rethink his career in the Ultimate Fighter.
Sterling defeats Ortega in a lukewarm fight to boos at UFC Shanghai
The fight didn't deliver the spectacle expected. Sterling began with low kicks and constant movement, adopting a strategy of scoring from a distance and avoiding Ortega's sharp jiu-jitsu. The first and second rounds followed this pattern, with the 'Funk Master' using his speed and rhythm control to neutralize his opponent.
Ortega, coming off a difficult weight cut and showing signs of physical fatigue even at the weigh-in, struggled to apply his usual pressure. The American with California roots tried to break free but struggled to land clean strikes. In the third round, he attempted a comeback but was quickly contained by Sterling, who responded with jabs and a well-placed elbow in the final seconds.
Willing to reverse the situation and go for 'all or nothing', Brian ortega He applied pressure and landed some solid strikes that made Sterling feel the pressure. The tide turned. The former champion then ran from the fight and spun around in the octagon, only to be booed again. He then took the fight to the ground again and secured the victory by unanimous decision.
UFC Shanghai Results
MAIN CARD
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Johnny Walker derrotou Zhang Mingyang by technical knockout at 2:37 of R2 – main fight
Married weight (up to 69,4 kg): aljamain sterling derrotou Brian ortega in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Sergei Pavlovich derrotou Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Sumudaerji derrotou Kevin Borjas in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Taiyilake Nueraji defeated Kiefer Crosbie by technical knockout (punches) at 3m33sec. from R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Gauge Young defeated Maheshate by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Charles Johnson derrotou Lone'er Kavanagh by knockout at 4:35 (punch) of the second round
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Rong Zhu derrotou Austin Hubbard by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Kyle Daukaus derrotou Michael Pereira by knockout (punches) at 43 sec. of R1
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Yi Zha defeated Westin Wilson by knockout at 37 seconds of round 1
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Su-Young You defeated Xiao Long by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Uran Satybaldiev finished Diyar Nurgozhay with an Ezequiel Choke at 2m45sec of R1
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