Sterling reveals he nearly lost consciousness in Zalal guillotine

Aljamain Sterling disclosed that he came close to being submitted by Youssef Zalal's guillotine choke during their recent bout. Sterling admitted he thought he was about to pass out from the submission hold. Despite the dire situation, he refused to tap out, unwilling to give Zalal the satisfaction of forcing a submission. The former bantamweight champion's stubbornness kept him in the fight even as the choke threatened to end it. Sterling's comments highlight both the danger he faced and his mental toughness in refusing to concede defeat.