If you’re not a fan of blood, you probably didn’t enjoy the flyweight bout between Rogerio Bontorin and Raulian Paiva on Saturday night at UFC on ESPN+ 14.
Early in the opening round, Bontorin (16-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) was busted up by Paiva (18-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC). Due to swelling below the left eye, referee Osiris Maia called a timeout to have the cageside doctor take a peek. The doctor gave his approval, and the fight continued.
Moments after the fight resumed, a bloody Bontorin landed a brutal knee to the skull of Paiva. A follow-up punch connected, and crimson red began to flow down Paiva’s face. Referee Maia almost immediately called another pause to the bout.
Paiva turned toward the camera and a deep gash was revealed on the right eyebrow line. At the advice of the cageside physician, the bout was waved off due to the depth of the cut.
As a result, Bontorin picked up his second UFC win in as many efforts. A “Dana White’s Contender Series: Brazil” signee, Bontorin has now won three straight fights. Paiva is also a DWCS alumni but has now dropped back-to-back fights to kick off his promotional tenure.
Is a write-up of Saturday’s gruesomeness not enough? If you really want to see the cut for yourself, check it out below:
