Aljamain Sterling put on a striking clinic against Brian Ortega in a catchweight bout at UFC Shanghai on August 23, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Arena. The former bantamweight champ controlled the fight over five rounds, winning a unanimous decision with 50-45 scorecards. His boxing and movement overwhelmed Ortega, who struggled to find answers.
Round One
Sterling started fast, using his jab to keep Ortega at range. He landed a crisp one-two combination early, while Ortega missed a looping right hand. Sterling circled away from Ortega’s takedown attempts, stuffing two shots. A sharp left hook from Sterling wobbled Ortega late in the round, giving Sterling a clear 10-9 edge.
Round Two
Sterling kept up his striking, landing a body kick and a three-punch combo. Ortega tried a single-leg takedown, but Sterling sprawled and countered with a knee to the body. Ortega’s punches were slow, and Sterling’s footwork kept him out of danger. Another clean jab-right hand combo from Sterling sealed a 10-9 round, making it 20-18.
Round Three
Ortega pushed forward, landing a low kick, but Sterling answered with a counter right hand. Sterling stuffed another takedown and landed a body shot that slowed Ortega. His jab continued to snap Ortega’s head back, and a late uppercut rocked him. Sterling took another 10-9 round, leading 30-27.
Round Four
Ortega needed a finish but couldn’t close the gap. Sterling’s movement frustrated him, and a quick left hook caught Ortega off guard. Ortega’s takedown attempt failed again, and Sterling landed a clean one-two. Referee Herb Dean warned Sterling for timidity, a call criticized on X as unfair given Ortega’s lack of offense. Sterling won the round 10-9, up 40-36.
Round Five
Sterling cruised, sticking to his jab and avoiding Ortega’s desperate punches. He landed a body kick and a right hand, while Ortega failed to secure a takedown. Sterling’s control and output earned him a final 10-9 round, securing a 50-45 unanimous decision.
Watch the highlights below:
Aljamain Sterling lands a BIG spinning elbow on Brian Ortega in the 3rd round 😳 #UFCShanghaipic.twitter.com/shlrh8A3S3
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 23, 2025
Back in the win column! 🤝@FunkMasterMMA earns the UD victory tonight in the co-main event!
[ #UFCShanghai | LIVE NOW on ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/DJohqSmayf
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2025
Aljamain Sterling began MMA in 2011, going 8-0 regionally before joining the UFC in 2014. His UFC record is 16-5, with wins over Sean O’Malley (2023), Henry Cejudo (2023), and T.J. Dillashaw (2022). He won the bantamweight title at UFC 259 in 2021 but lost it to O’Malley at UFC 292 in 2023. After a featherweight loss to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 in 2024, he moved to catchweight for Ortega. His overall MMA record is 25-5.
Brian Ortega started MMA in 2010, going 8-0 regionally before joining the UFC in 2014. His UFC record is 8-5, with wins over Renato Moicano (2017), Cub Swanson (2017), and Frankie Edgar (2018). He lost featherweight title shots to Max Holloway (2018) and Alexander Volkanovski (2021), and a fight to Diego Lopes (2024). His overall MMA record is 16-5.
