Brian Ortega
T-City
USA
Soundly defeated by Sterling
Ortega lost to Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) at UFC Shanghai on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
The story heading into this fight was how brutal Ortega looked on the scales and in face-offs, as a bad weight cut led to this scheduled featherweight fight getting moved to a 153-pound catchweight. Credit to Ortega for still showing up -- barely. Ortega did very little from the opening bell, landing just two significant strikes for the entirety of Round 1. The remaining frames weren't much better, with Ortega getting out-landed in each and surrendering three takedowns in Rounds 4 and 5 to seal his fate. He did have a big moment late, but Sterling ultimately weathered the storm. It's back to the drawing board once again for Ortega, who has now lost four of his last five fights, albeit against the elite the featherweight division has to offer. His days of title-implicating fights may be past him, however, especially if he can no longer get the weight cut under control.
The story heading into this fight was how brutal Ortega looked on the scales and in face-offs, as a bad weight cut led to this scheduled featherweight fight getting moved to a 153-pound catchweight. Credit to Ortega for still showing up -- barely. Ortega did very little from the opening bell, landing just two significant strikes for the entirety of Round 1. The remaining frames weren't much better, with Ortega getting out-landed in each and surrendering three takedowns in Rounds 4 and 5 to seal his fate. He did have a big moment late, but Sterling ultimately weathered the storm. It's back to the drawing board once again for Ortega, who has now lost four of his last five fights, albeit against the elite the featherweight division has to offer. His days of title-implicating fights may be past him, however, especially if he can no longer get the weight cut under control.
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To fight Sterling at 153 pounds
Oretega's scheduled featherweight bout against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai on Saturday will now be contested at a catchweight of 153 pounds, according to the UFC official site.
ANALYSIS
Ortega seemingly had a tough weight cut, as he didn't look physically great in either his walk to the scales or during his face-off with Sterling. The weight cut appeared to be far less taxing for Sterling, who formerly competed a division lower at bantamweight. So far, bettors seem to agree with the bad body language from Ortega's side, as he began the week as roughly a (+230) betting underdog but now sits at approximately (+350).
Ortega seemingly had a tough weight cut, as he didn't look physically great in either his walk to the scales or during his face-off with Sterling. The weight cut appeared to be far less taxing for Sterling, who formerly competed a division lower at bantamweight. So far, bettors seem to agree with the bad body language from Ortega's side, as he began the week as roughly a (+230) betting underdog but now sits at approximately (+350).
Aiming to bounce back vs. Sterling
Ortega will face Aljamain Sterling in a featherweight bout at UFC Shanghai on Aug. 23.
ANALYSIS
Ortega has been competing in the lightweight division of late, but he'll drop to featherweight in an effort to gain some much-needed momentum. He's just 1-3 in his past four fights and has recorded only one victory dating back to Oct. 2020.
Ortega has been competing in the lightweight division of late, but he'll drop to featherweight in an effort to gain some much-needed momentum. He's just 1-3 in his past four fights and has recorded only one victory dating back to Oct. 2020.
Routed by Diego Lopes
Ortega lost to Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (26-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 306 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a discouraging performance for Ortega on multiple fronts. Yes, he managed to see the final bell and remain somewhat competitive over the course of the final 10 minutes, but he dropped almost all the striking exchanges between the two men, and his massive struggles early on essentially torpedoed his chances of winning a decision. Ortega was unable to get his wrestling game going, partially because he absorbed so many leg kicks that he was unable to properly push off. "T-City" has said all along that his plan was to move up to lightweight, although he agreed to postpone the switch to take this fight. Set to turn 34 years of age next February, it's difficult to believe a move to an arguably deeper division is going to turn things around for Ortega. He's just 1-3 in his past four fights and has just a single victory dating back to October 2020.
It was a discouraging performance for Ortega on multiple fronts. Yes, he managed to see the final bell and remain somewhat competitive over the course of the final 10 minutes, but he dropped almost all the striking exchanges between the two men, and his massive struggles early on essentially torpedoed his chances of winning a decision. Ortega was unable to get his wrestling game going, partially because he absorbed so many leg kicks that he was unable to properly push off. "T-City" has said all along that his plan was to move up to lightweight, although he agreed to postpone the switch to take this fight. Set to turn 34 years of age next February, it's difficult to believe a move to an arguably deeper division is going to turn things around for Ortega. He's just 1-3 in his past four fights and has just a single victory dating back to October 2020.
Ready to face Diego Lopes
Ortega will take on Diego Lopes in a lightweight bout in UFC Noche at Sphere in Las Vegas on Sep. 14.
ANALYSIS
Ortega was a late scratch from UFC 303, where he was supposed to take on Lopes, but the event will happen either way, only that now will be in the lightweight division and on a night that will have all the eyes of the world watching. Ortega is one of the top-ranked fighters in his division and might have a physical advantage against an opponent that will move up a weight class for this event, but he can't take Lopes for granted, as the latter has won four fights in a row.
Ortega was a late scratch from UFC 303, where he was supposed to take on Lopes, but the event will happen either way, only that now will be in the lightweight division and on a night that will have all the eyes of the world watching. Ortega is one of the top-ranked fighters in his division and might have a physical advantage against an opponent that will move up a weight class for this event, but he can't take Lopes for granted, as the latter has won four fights in a row.
Late scratch from UFC 303 co-main
Ortega will no longer face Diego Lopes in the co-main event at UFC 303 on Saturday, according to the UFC 303 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
Apparently Ortega has been dealing with a fever of late, and despite staying optimistic he would be healthy enough to fight, the UFC announced his withdrawal at approximately 9:30 p.m. EST. Lopes will remain on the card, however, and will face Dan Ige in a catchweight bout.
Apparently Ortega has been dealing with a fever of late, and despite staying optimistic he would be healthy enough to fight, the UFC announced his withdrawal at approximately 9:30 p.m. EST. Lopes will remain on the card, however, and will face Dan Ige in a catchweight bout.