12 worst injuries in UFC: most brutal cases in the history as of now
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has gained immense popularity worldwide, with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) standing as the pinnacle of the sport. Over the years, fighters competing in the UFC have sustained some of the most gruesome injuries broadcast on television. Discover some of the worst injuries in UFC history.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Worst injuries in UFC
- 1. Chris Weidman – Double leg break
- 2. Anderson Silva –Leg break
- 3. Conor McGregor – Leg injury
- 4. Jon Jones – Dislocated toe
- 5. Michael Bisping–Eye injury
- 6. Corey Hill
- 7. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira–Broken arm
- 8. Joanna Jedrzejczyk–Head swelling
- 9. Mark Hominick – Swollen and battered forehead
- 10. Leslie Smith – Exploded ear
- 11. Marvin Eastman – Large cut on the face
- 12. Overeem – Split lip
- Has there been any deaths in UFC?
- What was the most brutal UFC fight ever?
- Can you get hurt in UFC?
What are the most common injuries in MMA? The Ultimate Fighting Championship is known for its intense and exciting fights. But sometimes, things can get tough, and fighters can suffer terrible injuries. From bone-breaking submissions to powerful knockouts, the UFC has seen some of the most painful and memorable injuries in the history of the sport.
Worst injuries in UFC
Sports injuries are part of the norm, and MMA, which is a combat sport, is no exception. In the history of the UFC, there have been countless occasions where fighters have endured significant injuries that have left audiences gasping in shock. From broken bones to severe cuts, these UFC injuries serve as a reminder of the physical toll that fighters endure inside the octagon.
1. Chris Weidman – Double leg break
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- Full name: Christopher James Weidman
- Date of birth: 17 June 1984
- Place of birth: Baldwin, New York, United States
UFC 261 witnessed a devastating moment as Chris Weidman endured one of the most severe injuries in the history of UFC. In the initial moments of his fight against Uriah Hall, the middleweight attempted to throw the first strike, resulting in a catastrophic leg break upon impact. Weidman's leg snapped, and he crumpled to the canvas, shocking the entire arena.
The fight was promptly halted after Chris Weidman's leg break, with Uriah Hall declared the winner, as medical professionals entered the octagon to attend to Weidman.
2. Anderson Silva –Leg break
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- Full name: Anderson da Silva
- Date of birth: 14 April 1975
- Place of birth: São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil
Anderson Silva endured a devastating leg fracture in a defeat against Chris Weidman back at UFC 168. Chris Weidman broke his leg in the opening seconds of his bout with Uriah Hall while attempting the first strike of the bout.
The fight was promptly halted, and Weidman had to be stretchered out of the ring. Anderson Silva's leg injury marks became one of the most alarming incidents in UFC history.
3. Conor McGregor – Leg injury
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- Full name: Conor Anthony McGregor
- Date of birth: 14 July 1988
- Place of birth: Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
The Irish mixed martial artist faced Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight at UFC 264. During the first round, McGregor suffered a gruesome leg injury. Conor McGregor's leg, the left ankle, rolled over as he stepped backwards, causing his ankle to turn.
Unable to continue, McGregor's fight was stopped, and Poirier secured a victory via TKO1. The Irishman has spent his time recovering from a gruelling injury.
4. Jon Jones – Dislocated toe
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- Full name: Jonathan Dwight Jones
- Date of birth: 19 July 1987
- Place of birth: Rochester, New York, USA
Jon Jones dislocated his big toe when he beat Chael Sonnen at UFC 129 in April 2013. He turned onto his toe, causing it to dislocate and tear away from the skin. Fortunately, Jones secured a victory by finishing his opponent later in the first round.
5. Michael Bisping–Eye injury
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- Full name: Michael Gavin Joseph Bisping
- Date of birth: 28 February 1979
- Place of birth: Nicosia, Cyprus
Bisping's career was negatively impacted when he endured a detached retina in his right eye when Victor Belfort defeated him via a head kick knockout at UFC 43 in 2013. Initially, concerns arose regarding Bisping's prospects in the sport due to the severity of the injury.
Despite the setback, Bisping exhibited remarkable resolve, competing with only one functional eye and ultimately rising to become the middleweight champion. The injury to his left eye prompted Bisping to retire from professional fighting. Following his retirement, he transitioned into a career in UFC commentary and podcasting.
6. Corey Hill
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- Full name: Corey Cornelius Hill
- Date of birth: Martinsburg, West Virginia, USA
- Place of birth: Tampa, Florida, USA
Corey Hill suffered a scary injury when his tibia and fibula fractured during a bout, leading to a significant victory for Dale Hartt. The incident occurred in 2008 when Hill attempted a leg kick, resulting in his tibia and fibula snapping at angles that were not natural.
Hill collapsed to the ground, prompting an immediate halt to the fight. It took Hill a year and a half to recover before returning to the octagon on 23 January 2010.
7. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira–Broken arm
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- Full name: Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
- Date of birth: 2 June 1976
- Place of birth: Vitória da Conquista, State of Bahia, Brazil
During the fight between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir at UFC 140, Nogueira suffered a severe arm injury. Mir executed a kimura lock, putting immense pressure on Nogueira’s shoulder joint. Nogueira’s arm bent to an unnatural angle and snapped before he eventually tapped out.
The shocking moment left fans stunned and remains etched in MMA history. Mir’s victory was bittersweet, as he felt both triumph and empathy for his respected opponent.
8. Joanna Jedrzejczyk–Head swelling
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- Full name: Joanna Jędrzejczyk
- Date of birth: 8 August 1987
- Place of birth: Olsztyn, Poland
Joanna Jedrzejczyk endured a severe head injury during her intense UFC 248 clash with Weili Zhang in Las Vegas. The incident occurred in the third round, as Weili delivered a series of potent strikes, resulting in abnormal swelling on Jedrzejczyk's head.
Despite mentioning that she had no significant injuries, Jedrzejczyk opted for plastic surgery upon her return to Poland and has since made a complete recovery.
9. Mark Hominick – Swollen and battered forehead
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- Full name: Mark Hominick
- Date of birth: 22 July 1982
- Place of birth: Zorra, Canada
On 1 May 2011, Jose Aldo defended his title against Mark Hominick. The fight went far, but Aldo successfully retained his title unanimously. However, Hominick suffered a brutal hematoma on his forehead, making it one of the worst injuries in MMA history.
10. Leslie Smith – Exploded ear
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- Full name: Leslie Smith
- Date of birth: 17 August 1982
- Place of birth: Santa Ana, California, United States
Leslie Smith’s ear injury remains etched in UFC history as one of the most shocking and painful moments. A determined fighter, Leslie Smith faced Jessica Eye in the women’s bantamweight division during UFC 180 in Mexico City.
During the fight, Jessica Eye’s right punch caused Smith’s left ear to explode with blood pouring onto the octagon literally. The impact was so severe that Smith’s ear was left mangled and swollen. After the injury, Smith took a break from the octagon for over a year before returning in March 2016.
11. Marvin Eastman – Large cut on the face
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- Full name: Marvin Lee Eastman
- Date of birth: 8 June 1971
- Place of birth: Merced, California, United States
Eastman entered the UFC for the first time at UFC 43, facing off against another future UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Vitor Belfort. During the match, Belfort landed a knee on Eastman's forehead, causing him to fall and resulting in what could be one of the largest cuts ever recorded in mixed martial arts history.
Eastman lost via technical knockout due to strikes just 1 minute and 7 seconds into the first round.
12. Overeem – Split lip
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- Full name: Alistair Overeem
- Date of birth: 17 May 1980
- Place of birth: Hounslow, United Kingdom
During UFC on ESPN 7, Alistair Overeem suffered one of the most horrific-looking injuries when he faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a 2019 fight. In the final seconds of the fifth round, Rozenstruik landed a powerful blow that shattered Overeem’s lip, leaving it mangled. Overeem’s lip healed remarkably well and appeared as if nothing had ever happened after successful surgery.
Has there been any deaths in UFC?
As of 2024, no fatalities have occurred in the largest MMA promotion, the UFC. The UFC takes fighter safety seriously, and its rules and regulations have significantly contributed to the sport’s progress without any fatalities within its organisation. However, numerous fighters have died outside of the promotion as a direct result of fighting in a sanctioned MMA fight.
What was the most brutal UFC fight ever?
The UFC has seen its fair share of brutal and blood-soaked battles over the years. Some of the most memorable fights include:
- Chris Weidman vs Uriah Hall (UFC 261)
- Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor (UFC 178)
- Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping (UFC on FX 7)
- Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman (UFC 162)
- Jessica Eye vs Leslie Smith (UFC 180)
Can you get hurt in UFC?
In the UFC, fighters engage in intense combat, and injuries are an inherent part of the sport.
MMA is a violent sport, and injuries are common, with fighters often suffering lacerations, breaks and concussions inside the octagon. From bone-shattering impacts to excruciating submissions, the worst injuries in UFC history stand as stark testaments to the raw and unforgiving nature of this combat sport.
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