This is the live blog for Aljamain Sterling vs. Brian Ortega, the five-round catchweight co-main event for Saturday\u2019s UFC Shanghai card at Shanghai Indoor Stadium.<\/p>\n
The bout was originally set to take place at featherweight, but weight cutting issues for Ortega led to the bout taking place at a catchweight of 153 pounds.<\/p>\n
Sterling makes his third consecutive appearance outside of the bantamweight division. The former bantamweight champion dropped the title to Sean O\u2019Malley at UFC 292, and made the move to featherweight in order to give his teammate Merab Dvalishvili his chance to get to a title fight. Since then, Sterling dominated Calvin Kattar for a decision win at UFC 300 in April 2024, then dropped a close decision to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 this past December.<\/p>\n
Ortega looks to get back on track after losing a lopsided decision to Diego Lopes at UFC 306 this past September. \u201cT-City\u201d has lost three of his past four appearances, and has had issues with the scale multiple times over the past 14 months. The two-time title challenger earned a submission win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico in February 2024.<\/p>\n
Check out the live blog for Aljamain Sterling vs. Brian Ortega below.<\/p>\n
According to FanDuel, Aljamain Sterling is a massive betting favorite at -490, with the comeback on Brian Ortega at +380.<\/p>\n
I want to preface this by saying that I was picking Aljamain Sterling from the jump. But after seeing the Brian Ortega weigh-in drama, mixed in with how awful he looked on the scale and the final staredown, I completely understand why Sterling is one of the biggest favorites on the card. I wouldn\u2019t be shocked to see Sterling get a finish, but I think it\u2019ll be a pretty lopsided decision win for the former bantamweight champion. Ortega is always a wildcard though, so there\u2019s always a chance for things to get super weird, but either way, this should absolutely be the last time we see Ortega at featherweight.<\/p>\n
Sterling out first, very energetic, ready to go. Ortega out next and looks OK in his walk to the octagon \u2014 a million times better than he looked Thursday night.<\/p>\n
They touch gloves and we\u2019re off. Both guys patient early, couple of jabs thrown on each side, but nothing has landed in the fight as of yet. A pair of hard leg kicks from Sterling, the second sends Ortega to the canvas. Ortega right back up, and is met with another hard leg kick. Sterling with a pair or clean right hands, and another right hook finds the mark.<\/p>\n
Halfway through the round and Ortega has gotten nothing going. Sterling with very quick in and out striking, good jab and right hand, followed by a hard leg kick. Sterling continuing to press forward and landing when he needs to. A lot of stance switching from Sterling here in Round 1, as there\u2019s 45 seconds left in the stanza. All Sterling, and that trend continues with a nice kick to the body. Ortega is credited for just two strikes, and Sterling piecing him up without a single takedown attempt. Clear 10-9 for Aljo.<\/p>\n
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Sterling<\/p>\n
Not sure what\u2019s going through Ortega\u2019s mind right now, or if taking the first round off was a strategy, but if it is, it\u2019s certainly a choice. Round 2 is underway with Sterling holding a 22-2 striking advantage. Ortega throwing more, but is not landing anything. Sterling back to the leg kicks, as Ortega\u2019s right leg is an absolute mess.<\/p>\n
Sterling continuing to land strikes at a high percentage. Ortega whiffs again with a left hand, Sterling lands another jab. Ortega goes for the home run shot and comes up way short. Sterling lands a big right hand to the eye of Ortega, super clean, and Ortega is hurt. Now Herb Dean stops it, while questioning why Ortega wanted to stop it for a clean punch. Weird.<\/p>\n