10 Most Horrifying MMA Injuries Of All Time

3. Sakuraba (Almost) Loses His Ear

Kazushi Sakuraba was well past his prime by 2010. He'd taken several lifetimes worth of beatings during his 17-year, 43-fight career, and while still capable of squashing tomato cans, 'The Gracie Hunter' had reached a stage where his body could no longer cope against more skilled opposition.

He'd have likely starched Marius Zaromskis if they'd fought a few years prior, but this wasn't the case at Fields Dynamite!! 2010. The sport had long since taken his soul. Though he tagged Zaromskis a couple of times, Saku was no more than a moving target for most of the two-might fight. He was knocked down early, and the accumulated damage prompted him to shoot for a takedown, but Marius forced his weight down as he stuffed it. Sakuraba's ear was snagged and almost torn completely from his skull as a result, making this one of the most warranted medical stoppages in MMA history.

This wasn't enough to convince 'The Gracie Hunter' to retire, though. He returned for a submission loss to Yan Cabral in 2011, before deciding to finally call it a day when Shinya Aoki put his lights out four years later.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.