Brian Ortega is still competing tomorrow morning (Sat.., Aug. 23, 2025) at UFC Shanghai from Shanghai, China, but not after an apparent ride in an ambulance. On Thursday evening, it was revealed that Ortega was not going to be able to make weight for his co-main event matchup against fellow UFC featherweight Aljamain Sterling.

On Saturday night, Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling are now set to compete at a catchweight of 153 pounds. Despite the promotion’s call to move the bout to being closer to a lightweight contest than a featherweight one, fans were still concerned for Ortega after he stepped on the scales.

Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling is now a catchweight fight after a twist at UFC Shanghai official weigh-ins.

In spite of a scare that the fight was off, the UFC Shanghai co-main event featuring Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling will remain on. Some people in the MMA

This isn’t the first time Ortega has had issues with the featherweight limit. In fact, he had to pull out of his scheduled UFC 303 fight earlier this year because of weight-cut problems. Now that it’s happened again, it feels like a move up to lightweight might be the smarter — and safer option for him going forward.

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling targets Brian Ortega in a key UFC featherweight clash as he chases a second title and two-division glory. Funk Master speaks about the upcoming fight, his connection with Jon Jones and more.

Walker and Zhang headline UFC's return to Shanghai, with Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling in the co-main event

Inconsistent results have left Brian Ortega in a state of limbo within the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division, stuck somewhere between contender and gatekeeper.