Brian Ortega Reveals 30-Minute Unconsciousness from UFC Shanghai Weight Cut

Brian Ortega revealed the severe physical and emotional toll he endured during his weight cut for UFC Shanghai, where he fainted and was unconscious for about 30 minutes, leading to a hospital visit before the fight. Despite the life-threatening situation, Ortega insisted on competing, motivated by his commitment to his family and fans, even as he appeared visibly weak and delirious at the weigh-ins. The fight, originally scheduled at featherweight, was moved to lightweight due to Ortega's weight issues, and he ultimately lost by unanimous decision to Aljamain Sterling. Ortega’s ordeal highlights the dangerous extremes fighters face when cutting weight, a controversial and risky practice in MMA that has caused other fighters like T.J. Dillashaw and Ilia Topuria to change weight classes for health reasons. Ortega emphasized the importance of prioritizing health, acknowledging that had he felt seriously off, they would have called off the fight. His experience serves as a stark warning about the risks of extreme weight cutting while also demonstrating a fighter's determination to perform despite severe health challenges.