Brian Ortega Went Unconscious for 30 Minutes During UFC Shangai Weight Cut

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Anyone who saw Brian Ortega walk to the scales ahead of the UFC Shanghai co-main event knew something was amiss.

The former featherweight title challenger looked depleted as he tipped the scales at 153 pounds for his proposed 145-pound clash with Aljamain Sterling in Shanghai, China. “T-City” somehow made it to fight night, where he dropped a five-round verdict to Sterling at UFC Fight Night 257 on Aug. 23.

Ortega revealed the scary details behind his weight cut in a recent video post on Instagram. Most troubling was the fact that he was unconscious for 30 minutes during the final stages of that process, which led to a trip to the emergency room.

“I cut weight on Thursday, we hit the first one,” Ortega said. “We got down to ‘51. Second one, later on, I decided to jump the gun on that one at 12. We cut from midnight all the way until 8 in the morning, cutting weight the entire time. I realized I had 1.7 to go still. We were confused on how my body wasn’t really pouring out the water, why it was just holding it in, but no matter what we have to get this weight off so we did.

“We went downstairs at about 8, 8-something, decided to cut more weight. Put the plastics on, Sweet Sweat, the whole thing. I did 20 minutes on the bike. Once I went off, I went unconscious. I was unconscious for about 30 minutes. During that time, they were putting ice on me. They took all my clothes off and left me in boxers. Woke up in the ER.”

Ortega added that Sterling was understanding regarding the entire situation, and that apparently there was a plan in place for a replacement opponent. Nonetheless, the 34-year-old Californian elected to soldier onward.

“If you saw the weigh-ins, you obviously know that I looked delirious and just coming off of being 30 minutes unconscious in the tunnel, what they say,” Ortega said. “After that, weighed in. We figured if I didn’t feel good or if something was seriously off that we would call the fight. No matter who you are, your health comes first, always stand by that.

“Aljamain came to me, and he talked to me, and he said, ‘Hey man, I heard what happened.’ I said, ‘I was under for 30 minutes, I ain’t going to lie to you. We have the same manager, I know he told you. I’m here, I’m trying and I’m going to show up.’ He said, ‘They already have a replacement fighter, don’t worry about it.’ But I told him, ‘No, I don’t want to waste your time.’ And I showed up.”

Ultimately, Ortega says he felt a sense of duty to compete despite the health scare. His condition didn’t necessarily improve as the bout drew close, either.

Ortega: I Fought for My Family and the Fans

“We ate food. We rehydrated the entire day. I didn’t feel good,” Ortega said. “I wanted to call it off. I got up and just walking outside I almost passed out and fainted. Everything in my body’s telling me not to fight.

“First and foremost, I decided to fight for my family. That’s my job, to show up and do what I do for them. I fought for my family. Secondly, I fought for you guys. You guys have always shown me love, you guys have always supported me, no matter what. It would be unfair to not show up for you guys. Regardless of excuses, you just show up and do what you’ve got to do.”

In hindsight, it’s surprising that Ortega made it the entire 25 minutes against Sterling. As one might expect given the circumstances, “T-City” was sluggish for the majority of the encounter, but he did author a few memorable moments in the final stanza. Ultimately, Sterling swept the scorecards with a trio of 50-45 tallies.

“I didn’t know what to expect if I’m being honest. I was afraid, I’m not going to lie,” Ortega said. “Being unconscious for 30 minutes and then fighting the next day, but I decided to go for it, still. The outcome was what the outcome was.

“Good job to Aljo for a game plan well played. He was slick with his movement, very smart point fighter, smart fight on his end. I’m more of a fan of having wars. Call me crazy, but that’s what I was hoping for, a good grappling war, but it didn’t happen, neither did the victory.”

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