Watch Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling full fight video highlights from UFC Shanghai’s catchweight showdown Saturday morning, courtesy of multiple outlets
UFC Shanghai took place Aug. 23 at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China. Brian Ortega (16-5, 1 no-contest) and Aljamain Sterling (25-5) clashed in the co-main event, which aired live on ESPN+.
Official result: Aljamain Sterling def. Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)
Check out the highlights below.
For more on Ortega vs. Sterling, check out our live blog below.
Round 1
They touch gloves and we’re 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.
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’s 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.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Sterling
Round 2
Not sure what’s going through Ortega’s mind right now, or if taking the first round off was a strategy, but if it is, it’s 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’s right leg is an absolute mess.
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. We’re back, Sterling pulling away as Ortega’s left eye is busted up. Crowd boos, that woke up Ortega a touch, but it’s all Sterling through 10 minutes.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9, 20-18 overall for Sterling
Round 3
Not sure a lot of people would have Sterling completely outclassing Ortega on the feet through 10 minutes, without a single takedown attempt, but it’s happening. Round 3 kicks off and it’s mirroring the first two rounds. Ortega lands a low blow that stops the action for a moment. Back to it and Ortega is certainly trying a bit more, landing a couple of hard punches, and a nice leg kick. Sterling with a nice jab, and a leg kick sends Ortega to the mat again.
Less then two minutes left in the round, and Sterling is pulling further and further ahead, and he’s barely breaking a sweat doing it. Sterling’s jab can’t miss in the third round. Ortega’s team screaming at him to get busy and do something. Sterling went for a knee up the middle, Ortega catches it, but Aljo gets free. Final 15 seconds and Sterling with a right hand to the ear. Ortega lands a left hand — his best punch of the fight — Sterling answers with a spinning elbow at the horn. Another Sterling round.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9, 30-27 overall for Sterling
Round 4
I won’t mince words, ladies and gentlemen: This fight is not competitive, and it’s not all that thrilling. Sterling is happy to continue just piecing Ortega up on the feet with very little resistance, and through 90 seconds of Round 4, that’s exactly what’s happening. Ortega is moving around better, but he’s not doing anything. Aljo lands a nice left hand that lands flush. Crowd is booing, which is truly stunning to have this crowd boo a fight.
Ortega pops the jab out there, but he’s not doing anything more than flashing it. Sterling lands a pair of jabs and a hard leg kick. Ortega throws a hard punch and lands, and nearly 20 minutes in, we have a clinch against the fence. Sterling in dominant position, and gets an easy takedown with just over a minute to go. Aljo on top with full control, chest to chest. Herb Dean telling Aljo to work as the clock ticks. Final 10 seconds and Sterling unloads with big shots to the face of Ortega, then some body shots. The Sterling dominance continues. Ortega’s UFC future may be on the line.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9, 40-36 overall for Sterling
Round 5
I just don’t see how the UFC can keep Ortega around if this continues in Round 5. Dean gets them going and Ortega needs a miracle. Nice right hand from “T-City.” Sterling lands a pair of jabs, then ties Ortega up. Ortega stays on his feet and now shoots a takedown of his own, and I have no clue why. Sterling on top with full control and over three minutes to work. Dean already shouting for Sterling to work, Ortega scrambles to his feet and eats a knee for his troubles.
Oretga stings Sterling with a right hand and Sterling is hurting. Aljo trying to stay out of danger, and Dean is telling Sterling to stop moving away. Wow! Sterling capitalizes on another Ortega mistake and takes the back on the floor. Hook in, but Ortega gets to full guard with one minute to go.
MMAFighting scores it 10-9, 50-45 overall for Sterling
