Sterling's 'trick' Revealed: Aljamain Sterling Plans To 'tame The Beast' Brian Ortega At UFC Fight Night

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The UFC has always thrived on stylistic clashes, and the upcoming UFC Fight Night bout between Aljamain Sterling and Brian Ortega epitomizes this dynamic. On one side, Sterling—the former bantamweight champion—brings his chain wrestling, relentless grappling pressure, and calculated fight IQ. On the other side stands Ortega, a submission killer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, renowned for his ability to snatch victories from the jaws of defeat with his lethal chokes.

But here’s the twist: Sterling isn’t just preparing to fight Ortega; he’s preparing to tame him. His mindset is that of a strategist, someone who believes he has found the “pet tricks” that will neutralize Ortega’s most dangerous weapons. This fight isn’t just about skills; it’s about control—mental, physical, and tactical.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into Sterling’s possible game plan, his secret tricks to dismantle Ortega, and what fans should expect when submission meets wrestling. We’ll analyze tactical nuances, psychological warfare, and the scenarios that could define this clash.

The Stylistic Showdown: Striker vs. Grappler?

At first glance, many may classify this as another striker vs. grappler showdown. Yet, it’s much more layered than that.

Brian Ortega: A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Rener Gracie, Ortega has become one of the most feared submission specialists in UFC history. His guillotine choke and triangle setups are infamous. Even when losing on the scorecards, Ortega can snatch victory in an instant.
Aljamain Sterling: While he’s also dangerous in grappling exchanges, Sterling’s strength lies in his wrestling chain attacks. He doesn’t simply shoot for a takedown; he builds sequences. One failed attempt leads into another, wearing down opponents until they break. His ground control and ability to accumulate damage through pressure are his trademarks.

The question becomes: when submission meets control, who bends first? Can Ortega catch Sterling in a split-second mistake, or will Sterling’s pressure suffocate Ortega’s creativity?

Sterling’s “Pet Training” Philosophy

In media interviews leading up to the fight, Sterling hinted at one idea: Ortega is dangerous, but he is also predictable. Just like taming a wild animal, Sterling believes it’s about patience, consistency, and never showing fear. His “tricks” are rooted in:

Distance Control: Never entering Ortega’s “trap range” without proper setup. Ortega thrives when opponents shoot recklessly or engage in sloppy scrambles. Sterling plans to control the center and dictate entries.
Chain Wrestling: Ortega has historically struggled against persistent wrestling pressure. Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski exposed this vulnerability by mixing takedowns with striking. Sterling will attempt to chain attempts until Ortega breaks rhythm.
Ground Control vs. Submission Threat: The key lies not just in taking Ortega down, but in controlling him without giving space for submissions. Sterling is expected to rely on shoulder pressure, wrist control, and constant position changes to frustrate Ortega’s bottom game.
Psychological Warfare: Ortega is known for heart and resilience, but also for being baited into reckless exchanges. Sterling’s job will be to frustrate Ortega enough that emotion overrides technique.

Tactical Breakdown: How Sterling Can Neutralize Ortega

Avoiding the Guillotine

Sterling’s entries will be critical. Ortega has caught elite fighters in guillotines before. To counter this, Sterling must:

Shoot for takedowns off cage pressure, not in open space.
Keep his head high and hands locked low to avoid Ortega’s snapping traps.

Suffocating Pressure on the Mat

Ortega’s submissions thrive on space. Sterling’s trick will be to deny that space completely:

Chest-to-chest control.
Use half guard top pressure instead of full guard where Ortega thrives.
Pepper with ground-and-pound to force Ortega into defensive mode.

Weaponizing Cardio

Ortega has been tough but often fades in high-paced fights. Sterling’s constant transitions, feints, and takedown attempts will serve to drain Ortega’s gas tank. By rounds 4 and 5, Sterling could dominate simply by attrition.

The Stand-Up Equation

Though Sterling is not known for knockout power, his awkward striking—particularly his long kicks and jab—could frustrate Ortega. The trick is not to win the stand-up outright, but to keep Ortega guessing.

Ortega’s Wildcard Factor

No analysis is complete without acknowledging Ortega’s X-factor. Even when battered, Ortega never quits. Against Volkanovski, he nearly submitted the champ with a guillotine and triangle—both attempts described by Volkanovski as “the closest I’ve ever been to losing.”

Sterling’s challenge is to remain disciplined. One lapse, one sloppy entry, and Ortega can change the entire narrative. This is why Sterling’s philosophy of “pet training” becomes crucial—it’s about never letting the beast bite.

The Drama Beyond the Cage

This fight isn’t happening in a vacuum. There’s a backdrop of storylines adding spice:

Sterling’s Motivation: After losing his bantamweight crown to Sean O’Malley, Sterling wants to prove he’s still elite. Winning against Ortega re-establishes him as a contender at featherweight or lightweight.
Ortega’s Redemption: Ortega’s career has been a rollercoaster. Known for his resilience but criticized for inconsistency, a win against Sterling puts him back into title conversations.
The Catchweight Factor: This fight nearly fell apart due to weight drama. Ortega came in heavy, raising questions about discipline and preparation. Sterling could exploit this by weaponizing conditioning.

Predicted Scenarios

Let’s play out three likely scenarios:

Sterling by Decision

Sterling controls the fight with takedowns, pressure, and ground control. Ortega’s submission threats keep it tense, but Sterling’s discipline earns him a dominant decision win.

Ortega by Submission

In a scramble late in Round 2 or 3, Sterling makes a minor mistake. Ortega latches onto a guillotine or triangle. Just like that, fight over. This is the nightmare Sterling must avoid.

Sterling by Late TKO

By Round 4, Ortega fades. Sterling overwhelms him with ground-and-pound, forcing a referee stoppage. It’s less likely but possible if Ortega’s cardio betrays him.

Historical Context: Lessons from Past Fights

Sterling vs. Petr Yan: Showed his ability to adapt and frustrate a striker by mixing takedowns and control.
Ortega vs. Volkanovski: Demonstrated Ortega’s submission danger, but also highlighted his struggle against suffocating pressure.
Sterling vs. O’Malley: A reminder that Sterling can be vulnerable in striking exchanges, though Ortega lacks O’Malley’s precision.

Each past fight paints a roadmap for how this bout could unfold.

Why This Fight Matters

This clash is more than entertainment:

For Sterling: A win means he’s not just a former bantamweight champ but a true multi-division threat.
For Ortega: A victory proves that he’s still relevant and dangerous in a division dominated by technical fighters.
For Fans: It’s the ultimate test of whether pressure and control can overcome submission artistry.

Conclusion

Aljamain Sterling’s approach to this fight can be summed up as: tame the beast before it bites. His tricks—distance management, chain wrestling, suffocating control, and psychological warfare—are designed to neutralize Brian Ortega’s submission arsenal.

But Ortega is no ordinary opponent. He is a wild card, a fighter who thrives in chaos. If Sterling makes one mistake, Ortega could end the fight in spectacular fashion.

Ultimately, this fight represents what MMA fans love most: styles colliding, strategies unfolding, and the thrill of unpredictability. Whether Sterling’s pet tricks succeed or Ortega unleashes his killer instinct, UFC Fight Night is set to deliver a fascinating spectacle.

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