IRENE ALDANA was on the receiving end of the worst cuts in UFC history on yet another historic night for MMA’s top promotion.
The former women’s bantamweight title challenger threw down with Norma Dumont on a stacked UFC Noche card at The Sphere in Las Vegas early on Sunday morning.
A win over Dumont would have put the Mexican back in the hunt for a second crack at 135lbs gold.
But a horror clash of heads early in the fight opened up a huge gash on the right side of her forehead and left her with a mountain to climb.
Veteran commentator Jon Anik couldn’t quite believe his eyes, saying: “So a nasty gash, slot machine-esque, on the forehead of Irene Aldana.
“It was a clash of heads, the cut man did what he could, but Aldana is leaking.”
Dumont didn’t have any sympathy for her opponent and repeatedly targeted the gaping wound.
And by the end of the three-rounder, Aldana was left with a cut worthy of a Hollywood horror film.
MMA fans were blown away by the war wound, with one writing on X: “Holy s**t.”
Another said: “Definitely the worst cut in UFC history.”
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And another said: “Oh that is so f***ed up.”
One remarked: “What a warrior. Life on the line and still standing in defeat.”
Another chimed in: “Did Irene Aldana get hit with an axe in the octagon?”
Proud Mexican Aldana, who suffered a unanimous decision defeat, is no stranger to taking part in gruelling and punishing fights.
She was left unrecognisable last December after going through a three-round war with Karol Rosa at UFC 296 in Sin City.
But she inflicted far more damage than she received that night, closing both of Rosa’s eyes with her crisp boxing.