Overview

• Sterling dominated Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai with three 50-45 scorecards in a bout held at a 153-pound catchweight after Ortega missed weight.
• An MRI showed a Grade 2 partial triceps tendon tear, an injury that typically does not require surgery and often needs roughly 8 to 12 weeks to heal.
• Sterling says he is targeting December for a return, though he notes the timing depends on how quickly the tendon heals.
• The win moved the former bantamweight champion to No. 5 at 145 pounds, which he believes puts him one victory from a shot at Alexander Volkanovski.
• He has floated Diego Lopez or Yair Rodriguez as potential opponents as he builds a case after starting 2-1 since moving up in weight.