UFC Fight Night 257: Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling Preview & Prediction
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The co-main event features elite contenders at featherweight as Brian Ortega faces off against Aljamain Sterling.
Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling facts
What time are Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Shanghai, China
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 257
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang main card
Johnny Walker vs Zhang Mingyang (Light Heavyweight)
Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling (Featherweight)
Sergei Pavlovich vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta (Heavyweight)
Su Mudaerji vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
Taiyilake Nueraji vs Kiefer Crosbie (Welterweight)
UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang prelims
Maheshate Hayisaer vs Gauge Young (Lightweight)
Lone'er Kavanagh vs Charles Johnson (Flyweight)
Rong Zhu vs Austin Hubbard (Lightweight)
Michel Pereira vs Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight)
Yi Zha vs Westin Wilson (Featherweight)
Xiao Long vs You Su-young (Bantamweight)
Uran Satybaldiev vs Diyar Nurgozhay (Light Heavyweight)
Brian Ortega: Submission specialist looking to prove he still has it
Brian Ortega, 34, comes into this fight with a reputation as one of the UFC’s most dangerous submission artists. Nicknamed “T-City,” Ortega holds a record of 16-4-1NC and has faced the division’s best, including Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, Frankie Edgar, and the “Korean Zombie.” Roughly half of his career wins have come via submission, with his triangle choke earning him the moniker “Triangle City.”
Ortega is 8-4 in the UFC and arrives after a loss to #2-ranked Diego Lopes, having previously impressed with an arm-triangle choke submission over #3-ranked Yair Rodriguez. While his striking is solid, Ortega doesn’t possess knockout power, and fans will be watching to see if he still has the sharpness to compete with the division’s elite.
Aljamain Sterling: Funk Master out to cement his place at 145 pounds
Aljamain Sterling, 36, holds a record of 24-5 and has recently made the move up from his home at bantamweight looking to make an impact at featherweight. A former bantamweight champion, Sterling has faced top-tier competition throughout his career, including Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, Sean O’Malley, and TJ Dillashaw. Known as “Funk Master,” Sterling combines unorthodox striking with world-class grappling, including elite wrestling and back control, making him a a difficult night at the office for anyone.
Sterling recently lost a competitive decision to #1 contender Movsar Evloev. Prior to this he gained an impressive win over Calvin Kattar in his UFC featherweight debut. His experience and elite grappling make him a formidable challenge for Ortega.
Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling prediction
Despite moving up from bantamweight, Sterling is not undersized for featherweight. Ortega has only a one-inch height advantage, while Sterling actually holds a two-inch reach advantage. Ortega may be the slicker submission threat, but Sterling has the stronger overall grappling and wrestling game.
Recent performances suggest Sterling is still operating near his prime, while Ortega appears to be past his best days. Furthermore, I believe the best way to beat Sterling is to catch him on the feet and stuff his takedowns but Ortega doesn't possess fight ending power. With that in mind, I expect Sterling to control the fight on the ground, neutralise Ortega’s submission attempts, and cruise to a decision victory.
Prediction: Aljamain Sterling to win by decision
