Brian Ortega is embracing a nomad’s mindset as he prepares for UFC Fight Night 257 in Shanghai, taking his training on the road from coast to coast and across the Pacific.
The San Pedro native has always been a fighter on a journey of self-discovery. “I’m always on a search to find myself,” Ortega said. “There’s just unknown parts about myself that are yet to be discovered.” This year he traded familiar routines for a broader training pilgrimage, stopping in San Francisco, Arizona and Philadelphia before landing in China for a co-main event against Aljamain Sterling.
Ortega, now 16-4 with one no-contest, has built a reputation through 13 UFC appearances and two title challenges at featherweight. His latest stretch of travel marks a different kind of preparation—one that he believes exposes him to new fighting styles and cultures and keeps him sharp at the edge of the sport.
The Shanghai showdown, set for a prime-time slot on Saturday, is a contrast to Ortega’s earlier international trip. His most notable overseas stint before this was the 2020 fight against The Korean Zombie in Abu Dhabi, a five-round test the then-shaved-headed contender delivered with a dominant performance. That bout, unlike the upcoming one, was held with no fans and at unusual hours, underscoring the challenges of competing in unfamiliar time zones.
This time around, the octagon is in the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, with the main card beginning in the late-night hours in the United States. Sterling, 24-5, has long been known for his wrestling pedigree and grappling prowess, moving up to featherweight after losing his title to Sean O’Malley. The two already bring distinct strengths to the table: Ortega’s feared jiu-jitsu and striking versatility, and Sterling’s back-control grappling specialty—earning him the nickname The Human Backpack.
Ortega described Sterling as “a good wrestler, good striking, good stand-up, good cardio,” adding that both fighters bring elite grappling skills to a contest that could hinge on pace, control, and the ability to dictate the tempo. The fight offers Ortega a chance to reaffirm his status as a top contender who can mix it up with the division’s best wrestlers and grapplers.
In recent interviews, Ortega has shared how the road trip has shaped him. He’s found the experience unexpectedly welcoming and respectful, and it has helped fuel a renewed focus on enjoying the sport while preserving the discipline that has kept him in contention during some of the UFC’s most competitive years. His coaches and teammates have noticed a physical upgrade too: he looks stronger, with a maintained frame and added muscle, and he says his training has sharpened his overall readiness.
The matchup is a test of two well-rounded experts who can fight on the feet and on the ground. Ortega’s mix of jiu-jitsu and knockout potential will meet Sterling’s relentless grappling and back-taking offense, making for a compelling clash in Shanghai. A victory could propel Ortega back toward championship contention, while Sterling will look to prove his ongoing evolution at featherweight.
Event details: UFC Fight Night 257 takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai. Prelims begin late, with the main card following in the early hours of the next day, available on ESPN+.
Summary: Brian Ortega’s year-long training pilgrimage has brought him to Shanghai, where he faces Aljamain Sterling in a bout that could reset Ortega’s standing in the featherweight division. The contest blends Ortega’s dynamic striking and submission game with Sterling’s elite grappling, set against a backdrop of international travel, time-zone adjustments, and a renewed focus on enjoying and committing fully to the sport. A win in Shanghai would reinforce Ortega’s reputation as a fighter who thrives on challenge and growth, while keeping him squarely in the title picture. The mood around him is upbeat and purposeful, signaling a positive turn as he seeks to maximize both his talent and his experience.