BREAKING: UFC featherweight Brian Ortega has confirmed he lost consciousness and woke up in an emergency room during his weight cut for UFC Fight Night last month in Shanghai. The alarming incident occurred shortly before his scheduled fight against Aljamain Sterling, which ultimately shifted from a 145-pound featherweight bout to a 153-pound catchweight due to Ortega weighing in heavy.
In a candid social media post released just hours ago, Ortega revealed the harrowing experience he endured while attempting to make weight. The fighter, who holds a record of 16-5, described feeling “gaunt” and “unsteady” on the scales. The troubling situation culminated in a complete loss of consciousness for approximately 30 minutes on Friday morning.
“I hit 20 minutes on the bike and once I got off, I went unconscious,” Ortega stated. “During that time, they were putting ice on me, they took all my clothes off, they left me in boxers. I woke up in the E.R.,” he continued, detailing the urgency of medical attention he received.
The former two-time title challenger faced immense pressure to make weight, as Ortega’s fight was crucial for his career and for his fans. He described the moment he regained consciousness, stating, “I ripped everything off, I couldn’t really speak.” He had a strict time limit to make it to weigh-ins, and after waking up, he continued to push through the pain and fatigue. “If you saw the weigh-ins, you obviously know I looked delirious and just coming off 30 minutes of being unconscious in the tunnel,” he added.
Despite the medical scare, Ortega proceeded to fight Sterling, losing all five rounds on the judges’ scorecards. “We figured if I didn’t feel good or if something was seriously off, we would call the fight,” he explained. However, his determination to compete for his family and fans kept him in the octagon.
At age 34, Ortega has been contemplating a permanent move up in weight for over a year, although he has yet to secure a fight in the lightweight division. Previously, he was forced to withdraw from a short-notice bout against Diego Lopes due to medical complications stemming from weight cuts.
Ortega also revealed that a replacement opponent was ready to step in for him in Shanghai, but he was resolute about taking the fight despite the risks. “Sterling told me, ‘they have a replacement fighter, don’t worry about it,’ but I told him, ‘nah, I don’t want to waste your time,’” Ortega recounted.
As the UFC community processes the implications of this incident, Ortega’s experience sheds light on the significant risks fighters face during weight cuts. The emotional impact of his decision to fight is palpable, as he stated, “First and foremost, I decided to fight for my family. That’s my job, to show up and do what I do for them. Secondly, I fought for you guys [the fans].”
Fans and analysts alike are left questioning the safety protocols surrounding weight cuts in combat sports, especially as Ortega’s story highlights the toll it can take on an athlete’s health. As this story develops, many will be watching closely to see how Ortega navigates his future in the UFC and whether he will finally make the transition to lightweight fighting.
Stay tuned for updates on Brian Ortega’s health and future fight plans as the UFC community rallies around him.
