Aljamain Sterling admitted his combat with Brian Ortega practically slipped away.
Final Saturday in Shanghai, China, Sterling secured a commanding unanimous choice over Ortega within the five-round co-main occasion of UFC Shanghai.
“Funk Grasp” dominated Ortega in a largely stand-up battle, dictating the tempo with sharp strikes and highly effective kicks that steadily wore down the two-time featherweight title challenger.
Sterling didn’t pursue a takedown till the latter half of the combat, however as soon as the motion hit the mat in rounds 4 and 5, the previous UFC bantamweight champion cemented his victory with dominant prime management and punishing ground-and-pound. When the combat ended, Sterling had left little doubt, incomes a unanimous 50-45 choice from all three judges.
Aljamain Sterling Says Elbow Bother Had Him Anxious in UFC Shanghai Victory
Throughout the UFC Shanghai post-fight present (by way of MMA Combating), Aljamain Sterling opened up about his hard-fought victory over Brian Ortega. “Funk Grasp” revealed he had been coping with some points main into the combat after which suffered a major elbow damage within the fourth spherical whereas making an attempt a spinning again elbow, which left him momentarily anxious his opponent would possibly mount a comeback.
Regardless of the scare, Sterling managed to remain composed, counting on his grappling to regain management and safe the win. The 36-year-old New Yorker admitted the second was tense, however his poise and method in the end allowed him to dictate the combat and shut it out efficiently.
After the combat, Sterling took to social media to put up a video displaying his swollen, injured left elbow, incomes reward from followers for sustaining his composure regardless of the setback.
Aljamain Sterling reveals the harm from Brian Ortega’s spinning elbow — leaving him unable to bend his arm.
@funkmasterMMA pic.twitter.com/pM2TcpnVTw
— Crimson Nook MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 24, 2025
“Funk Grasp” responded to 1 remark, explaining that he needed to masks the damage, understanding Ortega may have taken benefit if he confirmed any weak spot.
With the victory, Sterling improves to 2-1 since his transfer to the featherweight division in April 2024. He made the leap after relinquishing his bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in August 2023.
