UFC featherweight fighter Brian Ortega has revealed that he fainted and woke up in the emergency room during his weight cut process at last month’s UFC Fight Night in Shanghai. Ortega, with a record of 16-5, was scheduled to face Aljamain Sterling (24-5) in a co-main event at featherweight (145 pounds). However, the fight was modified to a catchweight of 153 pounds after Ortega failed to make the weight. On the scale, the former title contender looked emaciated and unstable. Subsequently, he lost all five rounds against Sterling according to the judges’ scorecards. Through a video posted on social media on Monday, Ortega detailed the severity of the problems he faced when trying to make weight, including a prolonged fainting spell on Friday morning.
Ortega continued explaining that during that time, they applied ice to him, took off his clothes, and left him in his underwear. He woke up in the emergency room, where he tried to take everything off. According to Ortega, he couldn’t speak or communicate well. The 34-year-old fighter has considered permanently moving up in weight for over a year, but has yet to secure a lightweight fight in the UFC. In 2024, he was forced to withdraw from a short-notice bout against Diego Lopes due to medical issues related to his weight cut. According to Ortega, the UFC had a replacement opponent ready for the fight in Shanghai, but he insisted on fighting despite the complications with the weight. Ortega recounted that Sterling told him they had a replacement fighter, but he replied that he didn’t want to waste his time. After eating and rehydrating throughout the day, Ortega didn’t feel well and wanted to cancel the fight. Upon leaving, he almost fainted. Despite everything, he decided to fight for his family and for the fans.I was on the bike for 20 minutes and, when I got off, I lost consciousness. I was unconscious for about 30 minutes.
Brian Ortega
