UFC star Drew Dober bravely carried on fighting despite a huge cut to his eye on Saturday night.
The American fighter’s face was left “a mess” during his bout with Jean Silva at the Ball Arena in Denver Colorado.
Their lightweight bout featured on the main card at UFC on ESPN 59.
Silva dominated the bout, taking each of the opening two rounds on the judges scorecards after inflicting considerable damage to his opponent.
By the third and final round, Dober’s face was covered in blood due to a gruesome cut above his right eye.
However, the 35-year-old bravely fought on until the referee called an official timeout so he could receive treatment.
Fellow fighters were left stunned by his bravery on social media as they reacted to the cut.
Former welterweight contender Alan Jouban wrote: “His eye is a mess!”
Number nine ranked welterweight Stephen Thompson also commented: “Gotta stop the fight… that cut is gross!!!!!”
Unfortunately for Dober, medical staff were unable to stop the bleeding or control the cut, with Silva awarded a doctor stoppage victory one minute and 28 seconds into the round.
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Both fighters were later awarded a $50,000 fight of the night bonus by the promotion.
The bonus lifted Dober’s spirits as he later took to social media to share an update.
Alongside a snap of his bruised and swollen face, he wrote on X: “Such an honour to be able to step in there and show off my heart and determination.
“Thank you, Denver, and the UFC for these moments and opportunities. There is no shame in failure. Just an opportunity to become a better man.”
Dober has been in the UFC since 2013, winning 13 of his 25 bouts with the promotion.
His loss to Silva leaves the veteran’s professional mixed-martial arts record at 27-14 with one no contest.
