Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Antonio Carlos Jr. has thrived under the Professional Fighters League banner.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s UFC Shanghai co-headliner between Aljamain Sterling and Brian Ortega was supposed to have significant implications for the featherweight division, especially since it was slated for five rounds. While Sterling did earn a lopsided five-round verdict, it was tarnished by the fact that Ortega badly missed weight and looked listless in the Octagon. It’s possible that effort says far more about Ortega’s future — or lack thereof — at 145 pounds than it does Sterling’s prowess. Even though it occurred at a catchweight, Ortega falls behind Sterling on the featherweight bubble.
Elsewhere, fifth-ranked heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich maintained the status quo with a unanimous decision triumph against No. 8 Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a featured bout at UFC Shanghai. By ending Cortes-Acosta’s five-bout promotional winning streak, the Russian slugger remains a Top 5 heavyweight. At flyweight, No. 12 Charles Johnson did similar work, as he knocked out prospect Lone'er Kavanagh to renew his place in the latest 125-pound poll.
Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.
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