(Video) Aljamain Sterling Shares Terrifying Aftermath of Spinning Elbow at UFC Shanghai

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling shows his swollen elbow after his fight against Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai.

(Video) Aljamain Sterling Shares Terrifying Aftermath of Spinning Elbow at UFC Shanghai

Aljamain Sterling’s injured elbow after the fight against Brian Ortega (via X)

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Last night at UFC Shanghai, Aljamain Sterling clashed with Brian Ortega in the highly anticipated co-main event. Sterling showcased superior skills, ultimately securing a dominant, unanimous decision victory to rebound from his prior defeat against Movsar Evloev. Unfortunately, Sterling’s celebration was short-lived, as he revealed suffering a severe elbow injury during a nasty exchange with Ortega.

Ahead of the fight, Ortega’s severe weight-cut issues prompted a change after reports surfaced of hospitalization, leading both fighters to weigh in at 153 lbs. Sterling established control early, utilizing sharp jabs, relentless leg kicks, and stance switches to prevent Ortega from generating offense. 

In round four, Sterling sustained a painful elbow injury during an exchange, severely limiting his defense until his grappling stabilized momentum. In a recent video on social media, Aljo shared the aftermath of the injury with a severely swollen elbow. 

This is from the spinning back elbow. So, I can’t really bend my arm, it hurts. After the third round when I landed the elbow, I immediately felt it. That looks not great. 

Aljamain Sterling via Instagram 

Brutal injuries frequently occur in UFC bouts, with fans witnessing gruesome cuts, broken bones, and devastating damage during fights. Typically, doctors intervene to halt such contests for fighter safety, but that precautionary measure wasn’t necessary during last night’s showdown. Instead, Sterling displayed grit and fought through intense pain and secured victory before a roaring, passionate Shanghai crowd. 

Pre-fight narratives lacked personal animosity, instead focusing on the disputed five-round pay structure and Sterling’s aspirations to ascend the featherweight rankings. Aljo didn’t like the idea of fighting for five rounds with no extra incentive or title on the line. On the other hand, Ortega suffered back-to-back losses, and his fourth one in his last five bouts.

Ortega was once among the most entertaining featherweights, earning two title shots through spectacular submissions and thrilling performances. Last year, T-City suffered a devastating loss to Diego Lopes, marking a turning point in his career. Rumors suggested Ortega might move to the lightweight division, but the anticipated transition never materialized, leaving fans deeply concerned. 

Meanwhile, Sterling became one of the most successful bantamweights ever, holding the record for most consecutive title defenses in UFC history. He later left the bantamweight division, aiming for featherweight gold, but his initial loss against a top contender significantly derailed that momentum. With his recent win, Sterling has silenced critics again, reaffirming his ability to contend among elite featherweights.

Fight fans react to Aljamain Sterling’s injured elbow after UFC Shanghai 

Aljamain Sterling boldly called out Alexander Volkanovski for a championship fight after UFC Shanghai, but his chances appear extremely slim. A few months ago, Yair Rodriguez strengthened his contender status with a win over Patricio Pitbull, keeping him in the top rankings. Apart from him, Movsar Evloev remains undefeated, continuously demanding a long-overdue title shot after years of dominance. 

Evloev has often voiced frustration over the UFC delaying his title shot despite his dominance against elite opponents like Diego Lopes. The Russian has also beaten Aljamain Sterling and contender Arnold Allen, proving his readiness for featherweight championship contention. It will be intriguing to see when the undefeated Russian finally receives his opportunity to compete for the title.

Aljamain Sterling vs. Brian Ortega
Aljamain Sterling vs. Brian Ortega (via X)

Similarly, after UFC 319, Lerone Murphy has captured attention as a rising contender, showcasing sharp striking and an unbeaten professional record. The queue for a title shot is crowded with dangerous opponents, making Sterling’s immediate championship opportunity highly unlikely. Nevertheless, here are some reactions from fans after his latest update on his swollen elbow. 

Many fans expressed shock at the unexpected injury while flooding social media with countless hilarious jokes and sarcastic reactions online. Others focused on Ortega’s incredible toughness, praising how he survived that devastating spinning elbow without getting knocked out cold.

Several users pointed out the recent trend, noting spinning elbow finishes have become increasingly frequent this month, especially since UFC 319.

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