Aljamain Sterling scores one-sided decision over Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai

The UFC Shanghai co-main event featured a catchweight bout between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and former featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega. 

The fight was scheduled to take place in the featherweight division but a tough weight cut for Ortega led to the bout being made at a catchweight of 153 pounds. 

Ortega entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Diego Lopes. He had lost three of his last four fights and desperately needed a win. Sterling made the walk to the octagon coming off a decision loss to Movsar Evloev. He had gone 1-1 since moving up to the 145-pound weight class last year. 

Sterling took the center of the cage as Ortega circled on the outside. Sterling connected with a counter right hand followed by a hard leg kick that knocked Ortega off balance. Sterling landed his jab as Ortega tried to find his range. Sterling continued to invest in leg kicks. Ortega was inactive most of the round. Sterling beat Ortega to the punch and had a much higher output. Ortega only landed two strikes in the frame. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Sterling.

Sterling worked behind his jab and continued to attack Ortega's lead leg. Sterling dictated the pace. They exchanged right hands. Sterling leaned back just out of the way of a combination thrown by Ortega. Ortega stepped the pocket with a right hand. Sterling connected with a right hand. Ortega thought he was poked in the eye. Referee Herb Dean said it was a knuckle. Sterling stopped and let Ortega recover anyway. 

When the fight restarted, Sterling went back to delivering leg kicks. Ortega circled on the outside. The crowed was growing restless. MMAWeekly score the round 10-9 for Sterling. 

Ortega's corner told him that he lost the first two rounds as he sat on his stool waiting to come out for the third.

Ortega came out more aggressive in the third round. He pressed forward and delivered a hard kick to the body. Ortega began utilizing kicks to the body. Sterling absorbed a heavy leg kick and briefly looked for a takedown. His jab continued to find a home. Ortega connected with a right hand in the closing seconds. Sterling responded with a spinning back elbow. It was Ortega's best round but MMAWeekly scored it 10-9 for Sterling. 

Ortega moved forward in the early going of the fourth. Sterling kept him on the outside with his jab. Ortega worked to cut the cage off but Sterling circled away. Sterling connected with a right hand. Ortega wasn't pulling the trigger. He exploded forward and they clinched. Sterling secured a takedown, the first of the fight. Sterling stayed in close before creating space and throwi ng punches. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Sterling. 

Ortega's corner told him that he needed a finish. "You have nothing to lose. I need everything right now," the cornerman said. 

Ortega pressured Sterling in the final frame. Sterling clinched and Ortega connected with a right hand on the break. Ortega changed levels and looked to get the fight to the ground. Sterling gained top position and worked inside Ortega's closed guard. Ortega worked his way to his feet and they separated. Ortega connected with a right hand that forced Sterling to retreat. Sterling's hands were low and he circled. Ortega landed a right. Sterling secured a takedown with 90 seconds remaining. Ortega delivered hammer fists from the bottom. Sterling opened up with punches. Ortega tried to stand and Sterling briefly took his back. Ortega rolled to his back. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Sterling.

The judges score the fight for Sterling via unanimous decision. All three scorecards read 50-45.