Brian ortega (left) and A. Sterling (right) in a face-off UFC Shanghai. Photo: Reproduction/UFC
Scheduled to perform the penultimate fight of the UFC Shanghai, Brian ortega who had previously flirted with the idea of moving up to lightweight (up to 70,3kg), ended up opting to remain at featherweight (up to 65.7kg) to defend his position in the top 5 against aljamain sterling. In addition to the defeat suffered on the Asian continent, the North American revealed a nightmare he experienced behind the scenes.
In a fight that was even announced as canceled by some journalists, Brian was the subject of anguished scenes as he appeared clearly weakened in a face-off with his rival after the official weigh-in. In addition to failing to make the weight requirement for his division, the former title challenger claimed to have been knocked unconscious while stepping on the scale.
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“I cut weight on Thursday. We hit the first one, reaching 68kg. On the second one, later, I decided to go ahead, but we cut from midnight until 8am, cutting weight the whole time. I realized I was still 0,77g short. I was confused that my body wasn't actually expelling the water because it was just holding it, but no matter what, we had to lose that weight, so we did. So we went downstairs, ate something, decided to cut more weight, put on the wraps, and sweated a lot. I got to 20 minutes on the bike. When I got off, I was unconscious. I was unconscious for about 30 minutes,” Ortega said in his post. Instagram.
Brian ortega suffers in weight cutting for the UFC Shanghai. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFC
Continuing his speech, the veteran detailed tense moments he experienced and assured that, if he stepped into the octagon, it was because he reached an agreement with his team and assessed that the situation was, at the very least, positive.
"During this time, they were icing me, taking off all my clothes, and leaving me in my underwear. I woke up in the emergency room, everything was off, and I couldn't speak or translate for them. I thought, 'If they don't take it all off, I'll take it off myself.' We knew we had a time limit to make it to the weigh-in; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to fight. If you saw the weigh-in, you obviously know I looked delirious and was coming out of 30 minutes of unconsciousness in the tunnel. After that, I weighed in. We figured if I wasn't feeling well or something was seriously wrong, we'd cancel the fight."
Finally, Ortega revealed that the UFC had a 'plan B' to replace him, but that his motivation to fight for the fans and the work done was greater.
"He (Sterling) 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. We ate and rehydrated all day. I wasn't feeling well, I wanted to cancel the whole thing. I got up and, just walking away, I almost fainted and passed out. Everything in my body was 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. Second, I fought for you," he concluded.
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