Venue: Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Shanghai, China
Division: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Card Placement: Co-Main Event
Match Overview
Two former title challengers collide as Brian “T-City” Ortega takes on Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling in a high-stakes featherweight bout. Sterling, the former bantamweight champion, continues his campaign at 145 lbs, while Ortega looks to reassert himself in the top five after a turbulent stretch.
Fighter Profiles & Stats
Brian Ortega (Record: 16-4-0 MMA)
Age: 34
Height/Reach: 5’8″ / 69″
Team: Black House MMA
Recent Form: L-W-L-W-W
Strengths: Elite BJJ (8 submission wins), durable chin, switch stance striking
Weaknesses: Defensive striking, cardio fade in high-volume fights
Ortega remains one of the most dangerous submission artists in the division. His comeback win over Yair Rodriguez reminded fans of his finishing instincts and resilience.
Aljamain Sterling (Record: 24-5-0 MMA)
Age: 36
Height/Reach: 5’7″ / 71″
Team: Serra-Longo Fight Team
Recent Form: W-W-L-W-W
Strengths: Grappling control, takedown chains, fight IQ
Weaknesses: Striking power, vulnerability to pressure strikers
Sterling has adapted well to featherweight, earning decision wins over Calvin Kattar and Movsar Evloev. His ability to neutralize opponents with positional dominance is his calling card.
Tale of the Tape
| Stat | Ortega | Sterling |
| Height | 5’8″ | 5’7″ |
| Reach | 69″ | 71″ |
| Knockouts | 3 | 3 |
| Submissions | 8 | 8 |
| UFC Wins | 8 | 14 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 38% | 37% |
| Control Time | 5:27 | 37:10 |
Tactical Breakdown
Keys for Ortega:
Keep the fight standing and use feints to draw entries
Target Sterling’s body and legs to slow grappling transitions
Look for opportunistic submissions in scrambles
Keys for Sterling:
Initiate early takedown attempts and chain wrestle
Maintain top control and avoid Ortega’s guard
Use lateral movement to frustrate Ortega’s rhythm
FIGHT ODDS
Brian Ortega + 240
Aljamain Sterling – 300
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, August 22, 2025
