On Saturday night, Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling are now set to compete at a catchweight of 153 pounds. Despite the promotion’s call to move the bout to being closer to a lightweight contest than a featherweight one, fans were still concerned for Ortega after he stepped on the scales.

In spite of a scare that the fight was off, the UFC Shanghai co-main event featuring Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling will remain on. Some people in the MMA

F ight week drama is nothing new in the UFC, but this one had fans holding their breath. Brian Ortega was set to meet former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling in Shanghai this weekend, a five-round featherweight clash that promised fireworks.

Aljamain Sterling defeated Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in the UFC Shanghai co-main event Saturday at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium.The fight was contested at a 153-pound catchweight after Ortega was unable to make the featherweight limit at Friday's weigh-ins.

Brian Ortega is still competing tomorrow morning (Sat.., Aug. 23, 2025) at UFC Shanghai from Shanghai, China, but not after an apparent ride in an ambulance. On Thursday evening, it was revealed that Ortega was not going to be able to make weight for his co-main event matchup against fellow UFC featherweight Aljamain Sterling.

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling targets Brian Ortega in a key UFC featherweight clash as he chases a second title and two-division glory. Funk Master speaks about the upcoming fight, his connection with Jon Jones and more.

Walker and Zhang headline UFC's return to Shanghai, with Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling in the co-main event