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MMA is not for the faint-hearted. MMA fights usually consist of brutal violence, gut-wrenching injuries and crazy doctor stoppages. With the UFC being the world's best organization in terms of talent, many of its events have made for memorable MMA exhibitions.
The beauty of MMA is such that the most classic fights in the history of the UFC have been ones that have been the bloodiest. Many MMA fights often end up with gruesome injuries, for example, due to armbars or heavy hitting. Therefore, the role of the cageside doctor becomes a crucial one.
On that note, let's take a look at five such UFC fights that ended due to doctor stoppages.
#5 Nate Diaz slashed open by Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244
Two of the baddest fighters in the UFC, Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz, went head to head for the Baddest Motherf***r (BMF) title at UFC 244. While the fight was as brutal as expected, it ended in a doctor's stoppage that disappointed everyone.
After getting thrashed by Jorge Masvidal for the better part of three rounds, Nate Diaz was cut above and below his right eye. The gashes weren't bleeding profusely, which is why a doctor's stoppage seemed uncalled for at the time. However, it was later explained that the severity of the injury warranted the decision to stop the fight.
Both Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz were instantly seen calling for a rematch, as neither of the two were stopped in the truest sense of the term. While 'Gamebred' regretted not being able to 'baptize' Nate Diaz, the 'Stockton Slugger' couldn't help but express his displeasure against the cageside doctor and UFC boss Dana White.
"I didn't think they were going to stop it. I was just getting ready to get started," Nate Diaz told Joe Rogan after the doctor's stoppage.
Dr. Sutterer explained the logic behind calling for a doctor's stoppage at UFC 244, saying:
"When the doctor is examining the cut here, he’s really looking at a few things. He’s pushing on the area of swelling to see if there’s any air that’s developed underneath the skin, which would be much more concerning. He’s looking at how deep the cut is; he’s looking at how wide the cut is and then, he’s also taking into consideration the fighter’s ability to protect themself."
Also Read: 3 upcoming UFC fights that would benefit from being allowed to go 5 rounds.
#4 Donald Cerrone's eye goes shut at UFC 238
Tony Ferguson and Donald Cerrone put up a battle at UFC 238, which ended in a doctor's stoppage. The two lightweight legends engaged in a bloody war, which ended with 'El Cucuy' getting a 12th straight win, and 'Cowboy', a damaged nose and a swollen eye.
Donald Cerrone hurt Tony Ferguson and even opened up a cut over his eye, but the former UFC interim champion leveled up and started pressing harder. Ferguson was throwing punches, spinning back elbows and kicks with a crazy pace, indirectly causing a doctor's stoppage.
Towards the end of the second round, Tony Ferguson wobbled Donald Cerrone with a clubbing elbow. However, Ferguson connected with a late punch after the horn was blown, earning a hard warning from the referee. But with a damaged nose leading to a swollen shut right eye, the doctors refused to allow Cerrone to continue, giving Ferguson a TKO win.
Donald Cerrone blamed himself for aggravating his condition, as blowing his nose between rounds led to his eye swelling up shut. He told Joe Rogan during the octagon interview:
"That was the fight I think everybody wanted. I don’t quit. I don’t back down. I wanted to keep fighting. I shouldn’t have blown my nose."
Also Read: 5 of the nastiest-looking injuries in UFC history.
#3 Brian Ortega's broken nose and thumb forces a doctor's stoppage at UFC 231
Brian Ortega's first MMA loss was a forgettable one. He came in at UFC 231 against Max Holloway, riding a 15-fight winning streak. However, the defending UFC featherweight champion, Max Holloway, gave one of the biggest performances of his career, causing a doctor's stoppage.
Ortega absorbed 290 significant strikes from Max 'Blessed' Holloway in four rounds, a UFC record. Ortega's face was battered to the point where his eye was completely swollen and shut. It was also revealed later that 'T-City' had also suffered from a broken thumb.
After the doctor's stoppage earned Max Holloway his 13th win in the UFC, Brian Ortega was transported to a hospital. While he tested negative for a suspected orbital bone fracture, he did suffer damage to his thumb and nose. Ortega later took to social media to express his agreement with the doctor's stoppage.
He wrote:
"Doctor stopped it, and I agree. Broken nose and a broken thumb, I was willing to die in there. Last night was Max’s night. I’ll be back. Thank you to everyone who has always believe in me and supported me."
#2 Anthony Smith's infamous nerve-killer leg kick against Jimmy Crute at UFC 261
Anthony Smith and Jimmy Crute went head to head in a fight with one of the craziest doctor's stoppages ever.
The first round started with Smith landing a number of leg kicks on Crute that quickly started to take a toll. One of the kicks by 'Lionheart' landed so precisely and with such power on Crute's knee that it rendered the latter's leg useless for the rest of the fight.
Jimmy Crute fell right after absorbing the kick, and in survival mode, shot for a takedown. The round ended, and 'The Brute' rose to his feet, but walking back to his stool, kept rolling his ankle. It became clear that Anthony Smith's kick had damaged Crute's leg beyond recovery.
'The Brute' received a pep talk from his corner and prepared to go back for the second round. However, during an investigation by the cageside doctor, Crute couldn't walk properly. The fight was called off with a TKO win (doctor's stoppage) for Anthony Smith, who then walked over to console his displeased opponent.
Also Read: The 5 biggest selling pay-per-views in UFC history.
#1 Conor McGregor's freak injury caused a doctor's stoppage at UFC 264
Given his dominance inside the UFC octagon and top-of-the-game fitness, it would've been crazy to imagine Conor McGregor falling victim to a doctor's stoppage. However, UFC 264 shocked the world and fight fans, as the 'Notorious' suffered a freak injury at the end of round one.
With renewed bad blood that had gone temporarily missing at UFC 257, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier went in for their trilogy bout at UFC 264. The fight opened with the 'Notorious' entering in with a barrage of fiery leg kicks on Poirier. 'The Diamond' warmed up quickly and started exchanging strikes while also checking some of McGregor's leg kicks.
The stand-up soon shifted to the mat with Dustin Poirier taking Conor McGregor down, neutralizing a guillotine and landing some ground-and-pound. The fighters got back up and started exchanging shots again. As the Irishman twisted his leg to get maximum power for a cross, the torque caused his ankle to break and fold, though.
Conor McGregor fell down immediately, and as it was not clear what'd happened, Dustin Poirier came in to land more blows in the dying seconds of the round.
It soon became apparent, though, that the former UFC double champion had broken his ankle. The Irishman, while in debilitating pain, was repeatedly calling for a doctor's stoppage.
While the fight was called off by referee Herb Dean at the end of round one, it was later declared a TKO win for Dustin Poirier via doctor's stoppage.
Also Read: 3 reasons Dustin Poirier is a better fighter than Conor McGregor.
