Brian Ortega, a UFC featherweight contender, is gearing up for a highly anticipated fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai this weekend. Known for his strong grappling skills and submission attempts, Ortega is determined to make a significant impact in his return to the octagon after nearly a year away from competition.
Ortega’s Recent Career and Training Developments
Over the years, Ortega has established himself as a serious challenger in the featherweight division, having narrowly missed out on the world title multiple times. One of his standout moments came during his bouts with Alexander Volkanovski, where Ortega almost secured victory with deep submission holds. Despite these efforts, he has faced setbacks, including two losses in his last three fights, the most recent being a decisive defeat by Diego Lopes.
In preparation for the upcoming fight with Sterling, Ortega has renewed his coaching team to sharpen his skills. He reconnected with a previous boxing coach, reigniting his striking development, and has added high-level wrestling partners, including NCAA champions, to improve his grappling and defense.
Ortega Shares His Strategy for the Fight Against Sterling
Ortega expressed confidence and a clear approach ahead of the fight, emphasizing a preference for standing and trading strikes rather than relying on takedowns.
“If it was my choice, we bang it out,”
he said.
“Simple as that. You see me, I kind of rarely shoot in. I’m not really the guy to shoot in. So, if it was up to me, we would bang it out on our feet and give the fans a hell of a fight.”
He also acknowledged Sterling’s tactical style and anticipated takedown attempts, stating,
“He’s good at keeping his distance and his range with those kicks, but yeah, it’s something that we’ve trained for. We watch the fights, we study film.”
What This Fight Means for Ortega’s Future
This bout is critical for Ortega to reestablish himself among the top contenders in the featherweight class and demonstrate the evolution in his skills since his last fight. Facing Sterling, who poses a contrasting challenge, will test Ortega’s adjustments in striking and wrestling defense. A strong performance could set the stage for larger title opportunities moving forward.