MMA star Ivan Buchinger suffered such horror facial injuries he was left needing 35 stitches.
The Slovakian faced Ronald Paradeiser for the OKTAGON MMA lightweight title in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
MMA star Ivan Buchinger was left brutally cut up
He was left needing 35 stitches
Buchinger looked almost unrecognisable a day beforehand
And he was stopped in the third round of a scheduled five after his face was left completely cut up.
Buchinger was rushed to hospital following the loss and needed 35 stitches in his face.
Fortunately, his CT scan came back fine.
Speaking out on Instagram, Buchinger posted: “It didn’t work out yesterday… my lip injury unfortunately prevented me from continuing the match.
“I felt I still had it, but my team suggested ending despite my urgency.
“Doctors have checked me out and I have nothing except for the tear wounds on my face that they stitched up.
“I will continue because I know that losses are part of life and are just lessons so we can continue and be better.
“Many thanks to everyone who cheered and supported me. I get so many messages, I can’t even answer them all so thank you all.
“I’m doing good.”
On the same card, German Niko Samsonids suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Losene Keita, who won the featherweight title.
Samsonids was airlifted to hospital after having his jaw broke and teeth knocked out.
OKTAGON co-founder Pavol Neruda said: “Niko’s jaw is broken, but he’s conscious. Neurologically, he should be fine.”