“Unconscious for About 30 Minutes”- Brian Ortega Reveals Scary Ordeal Ahead of UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event Bout

Fans are divided over former 145lbs title contender Brian Ortega's shocking revelation before his bout with Aljamain Sterling.

“Unconscious for About 30 Minutes”- Brian Ortega Reveals Scary Ordeal Ahead of UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event Bout

Brian Ortega talks about his loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai (via MMA Fighting, X)

Weight cutting has long been one of the most controversial aspects of mixed martial arts, often pushing fighters to extreme limits in pursuit of a competitive edge. T.J. Dillashaw’s brutal cut to 125 pounds ahead of his title fight with Henry Cejudo is a prime example, as it left him drained and unable to perform at his best.

More recently, fighters like Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev have opted to move up a weight class after realizing their bodies could no longer handle the strain of such drastic cuts. Despite how common the practice is, many fighters continue to struggle with it, including UFC featherweight contender Brian Ortega, who recently opened up about the circumstances surrounding his cut before UFC Shanghai.

For the unversed, Ortega looked far from his usual self in his co-main event against Aljamain Sterling, suffering a sluggish defeat by unanimous decision. Originally booked as a standard 145lbs bout, Ortega came in seven pounds over the non-title featherweight limit, forcing the fight to be changed to a 153-pound catchweight.

Days after the event, Ortega took to Instagram to address the situation in a heartfelt video. He admitted the cut nearly caused him to withdraw, but he pushed forward, taking full responsibility for the performance. ‘T-City’ explained how much the grueling process had drained him, but said he refused to give up, even under those circumstances.

We cut weight from midnight all the way to 8 in the morning. I realised I had 1.7 [pounds] to go still. I was confused why my body was not pouring out the water and why it was just holding it in. I had the plastics on, and I hit 20 minutes on the bike. Once I got off, I went unconscious. I was unconscious for about 30 minutes.

Brian Ortega via Instagram

The former 145lbs title contender then metaphorically added that his body was screaming at him to pull out from the event altogether. However, Ortega decided otherwise and tried his best to give fans a well-deserved showman against the former bantamweight champion.

We ate food, we rehydrated the entire day. I didn’t feel good, I wanted to call it off. Just walking outside, I almost passed out and fainted. Everything in my body is telling me not to fight. First and foremost, I decided to fight for my family. Secondly, I fought for you guys.

Brian Ortega via Instagram

However, the bout itself became a sluggish affair, with Sterling emerging victorious by decision. But the story did not end in the cage. While Ortega struggled through the aftermath of his brutal weight cut, Sterling revealed afterward that he suffered a grade-2 triceps tear due to a spinning elbow that he attempted during the fight.

The 34-year-old has had a fair share of weight-cut mishaps that have led to rescheduling and cancellation disappointments. He had also teased a move up to the lightweight division, which would have proven fruitful given his struggles with weight. However, the decision never materialized.

The UFC Shanghai co-main event was deemed a boring chess match between the two electrifying fighters. However, the matchup failed to meet expectations due to Ortega’s underperformance. The fallout from the event undoubtedly paints a troubling picture of the sacrifices fighters make to step into the Octagon.

Fans react to Brian Ortega’s weight-cutting struggles for the Aljamain Sterling fight

Brian Ortega’s weight cut ahead of UFC Shanghai has become one of the most discussed moments in recent weeks. He looked weary and weak in his performance against Sterling, which has led fans to blame the grueling weight cut. Once a fan favorite, Ortega’s performances against Yair Rodriguez, Chang Sung Jung, and Frankie Edgar elevated him to the featherweight elite.

However, his weight misses and weak performances have led to fans doubting his future. Fans reacted strongly to Ortega’s admission, with many expressing shock at the severity of his weight cut. Across social media, supporters voiced concern over the fact that he remained unconscious for half an hour, pointing out that such an incident could have ended in tragedy.

Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai
Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai (via MMA Fighting)

Many fans expressed shock at how the fight was still allowed to proceed. Others urged Ortega to consider moving up a division, arguing that the dangers he faced by cutting to 145 pounds were no longer worth the risk. Some even compared Ortega’s situation to past cases where fighters were hospitalized during cuts. Here are some fan reactions to Ortega’s weight-cutting revelation:

There was also empathy directed toward both Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling, as supporters recognized that neither fighter left UFC Shanghai unscathed. Many have made it clear that change is needed, with many calling for stricter weight-cutting regulations.

Taken together, these events serve as a reminder that while MMA thrives on toughness and resilience, the well-being of its athletes must remain at the center.

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