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          UFC Shanghai to feature Ortega-Sterling, Walker-Zhang on Aug. 23

          • Brett OkamotoJun 26, 2025, 11:01 AM ET
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will meet Brian Ortega in a featherweight bout later this summer, officials announced Wednesday.

          Sterling (24-5) and Ortega (16-4) will square off in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night on Aug. 23 in Shanghai. The main event features Chinese light heavyweight prospect Zhang Mingyang (19-6) opposite Johnny Walker (21-9). It will mark the UFC's first time in Shanghai since 2017.

          Sterling is still looking to solidify himself as a potential title challenger in a new weight class. The former 135-pound titleholder moved up last year after surrendering the belt to Sean O'Malley in 2023. His featherweight campaign started off well with a decision win over Calvin Kattar, but took a step backward in a loss to the undefeated Movsar Evloev in December.

          Ortega has talked about moving up a weight class as well. The longtime featherweight is 1-3 in his past four appearances. He has challenged for the UFC belt twice, coming up short against all-time greats in Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. The August bout against Sterling will mark his first since last September.

          Zhang, 26, will be headlining his first UFC event. He is coming off the highest-profile win of his career, a first-round stoppage against Anthony Smith in April.