Rumors circulated that Ortega had been hospitalized before the weigh-ins, and an ambulance was seen at the fighter hotel, but both men weighed in at 153 pounds and the bout proceeded at catchweight. The match was a five-round co-main between former 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling and former featherweight challenger Brian Ortega. Sterling pressed forward early, chopping Ortega’s lead leg with repeated kicks while Ortega registered very low strike output. In round two Sterling landed a punch that Ortega complained was an eye poke; the referee ruled it a punch but Sterling paused and allowed Ortega a break. Sterling nearly secured a takedown in round three and the pair traded kicks.
What's a UFC card without a little weigh-in drama? For UFC Shanghai, that drama came as Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling weighed in. The last two fighters to hit the scales, rumors were flying that Ortega had been hospitalized and was out of the fight. An ambulance had been seen at the fighter hotel, related or not, but as it turned out, the fight was on. At a catchweight, however, with both men weighing in at 153 pounds.
The leg kicks continued for Aljamain Sterling in round two; Ortega was showing a bit of redness as a result. Sterling was still well ahead in the striking department, though he nearly created an opening for Ortega with a spinning attack. Ortega's lead leg was showing some welts or lumps. Aljo then landed a punch that saw Ortega complaining about an eye poke. The ref ruled it a punch, but Sterling actually stopped and opted to give Ortega a break,
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