Ortega 'unconscious For 30 Min' In Ufc Weight Cut

Brian Ortega says he was unconscious for astir 30 minutes earlier waking up successful nan infirmary during his weight trim for his UFC Shanghai conflict past month.

Ortega, 35, was scheduled to conflict Aljamain Sterling successful nan co-main arena but it emerged connected Friday that Ortega was struggling to make nan featherweight limit of 145lb (10st 5lb).

The American mislaid a determination to Sterling and was only capable to make nan 10lb heavier limit of lightweight, cutting a gaunt fig connected nan scales.

"We trim from midnight each nan measurement until 8 successful nan morning, cutting weight nan full time. I realised I had 1.7lb to go," Ortega said connected Instagram, external connected Tuesday, 2 weeks aft nan contest.

"We were confused connected really my assemblage wasn't really pouring retired nan water, why it was conscionable holding it in, but nary matter what we person to get this weight disconnected truthful we did.

"We went downstairs astatine astir eight, decided to trim much weight. Put nan plastics on.

"I did 20 minutes connected nan bike. Once I went off, I went unconscious. I was unconscious for astir 30 minutes.

"During that time, they were putting crystal connected me. They took each my apparel disconnected and near maine successful boxers. Woke up successful nan ER [Emergency Room]."

When Ortega woke up successful hospital, he and his squad decided to proceed pinch nan conflict and he returned to nan edifice to measurement in.

Ortega moreover had a speech pinch Sterling, who he shares a head with, turning down nan chance to beryllium replaced by different fighter.

"I didn't consciousness good," Ortega cotninued.

"I wanted to telephone it off. I sewage up and conscionable stepping extracurricular I almost passed retired and fainted.

"Everything successful my assemblage is telling maine not to fight.

"First and foremost, I decided to conflict for my family.

"That's my occupation - to show up and do what I do for them. I fought for my family. Secondly, I fought for you guys [the fans].

"You guys person ever shown maine love, you guys person ever supported me, nary matter what.

"It would beryllium unfair to not show up for you guys, sloppy of excuses. You conscionable show up and do what you've sewage to do."

Ortega is simply a seasoned featherweight and is simply a two-time UFC title contender.

The UFC has respective weight-cutting guidelines, including really overmuch a combatant tin safely trim successful conflict week and person doctors successful spot to determine if a weight trim needs to beryllium stopped.

There are respective techniques banned successful weight-cutting for UFC events including nan usage of intravenous (IV) drips.

BBC Sport has reached retired to nan UFC for comment.