Brian Ortega says he was unconscious for about 30 minutes before waking up in the hospital during his weight cut for his UFC Shanghai fight last month.
Ortega, 35, was scheduled to fight Aljamain Sterling in the co-main event but it emerged on Friday that Ortega was struggling to make the featherweight limit of 145lb (10st 5lb).
The American lost a decision to Sterling and was only able to make the 10lb heavier limit of lightweight, cutting a gaunt figure on the scales.
“We cut from midnight all the way until eight in the morning, cutting weight the entire time. I realised I had 1.7lb to go,” Ortega said on Instagram, external on Tuesday, two weeks after the contest.
“We were confused on how my body wasn’t really pouring out the water, why it was just holding it in, but no matter what we have to get this weight off so we did.
“We went downstairs at about eight, decided to cut more weight. Put the plastics on.
“I did 20 minutes on the bike. Once I went off, I went unconscious. I was unconscious for about 30 minutes.
“During that time, they were putting ice on me. They took all my clothes off and left me in boxers. Woke up in the ER [Emergency Room].”
When Ortega woke up in hospital, he and his team decided to continue with the fight and he returned to the hotel to weigh in.
Ortega even had a conversation with Sterling, who he shares a manager with, turning down the chance to be replaced by another fighter.
