Brian Ortega and Al Jaman Sterling were added to the UFC Fight Night co-main event held in Shanghai on August 23rd.
Brian Ortega vs Aljaman Sterling
Currently ranked seventh in the category, Ortega is a two-time title challenger known for his smooth Brazilian jiu-jitsu and ability to finish off ground battles, and has achieved notable victories over fighters such as Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson and Jaa Rodriguez. Former UFC bantamweight champion Sterling moved to featherweight after losing his title to Sean O’Malley. He is recognized for his wrestling blend, a fusion of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Brian Ortega entered the fight with his last 1-3 record in his final four appearances, losing to top featherweight Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovsky in the title match. Sterling’s move to Featherweight began with a victory over Calvin Kattar, but retreated in defeat to Movsar Evloev. Both fighters are trying to reestablish themselves as title candidates for new or familiar divisions.
The interests of this match are important. For Ortega, it represents another opportunity related to the featherweight title photo, but Sterling is trying to prove that he can be a competitor in the higher weight class. Their style suggests a competitive matchup. Ortega is a dangerous submission specialist with improved strikes. Sterling, meanwhile, is known for his ability to combine wrestling pressure with grappling and effective strikes. This fight is expected to be an important test for both, as it climbs into the rankings and positions itself for another shot in Championship Gold.