Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is set to face Brian Ortega this weekend in Shanghai, determined to prove he remains a title contender at featherweight. It has been more than eight months since Sterling last competed, dropping a unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev in December. Despite believing he did enough to win that fight, Sterling has stayed focused on returning to a title path at 145 pounds.
His matchup with Ortega, the former title challenger, serves as the co-main event in Shanghai. Sterling sees the fight as the right step toward positioning himself inside the top five, one win away from a shot at Alexander Volkanovski’s title. Sterling has already scored a featherweight victory over Calvin Kattar, and now looks to reinforce his place among the division’s elite.
This Saturday’s contest will be contested at a catchweight of 153 pounds and marks just Sterling’s second fight outside the United States. Despite the travel and circumstances, the 36-year-old is eager to perform in front of a packed Shanghai Indoor Stadium crowd against an opponent with proven skills and durability. Sterling praised Ortega’s boxing and world-class jiu-jitsu, while noting his veteran resilience in always finding ways to fight back.
Sterling intends to approach the fight with intelligence and consistency, aiming to control every round with sharp striking, takedowns, and relentless pace. With Ortega boasting eight submission finishes and Sterling never having lost by submission, it is a battle of high-level grapplers that could play out in unpredictable ways.
While future title opportunities will depend on how the division unfolds—with Lerone Murphy’s knockout at UFC 319 and upcoming fights further shaping the landscape—Sterling insists he is focused only on beating Ortega. His message to the division is clear: he remains a dangerous contender at featherweight.
“My statement this weekend is that I want to remind the division and remind the fans that I’m still a title contender,” Sterling said. “I’ve had my run, I’ve had my time in the sun, but I’m still here and I’m still kicking and I’m still looking to become a champion again.”
