UFC Fighter Ramiz Brahimaj's Ear Left Hanging By A Thread After Brutal Elbow

GRAPHIC WARNING! If you're squeamish, look away now.

Well, that's one way to make a lasting impression in your UFC debut.

Mixed martial arts fans went into meltdown over the weekend after Ramiz Brahimaj nearly had his entire ear torn off during his welterweight bout against Max Griffin.

In a huge exchange between the two fighters, a brutal elbow from Griffin caught Brahimaj on the ear - and, well, it almost completely severed it.

The duo were going toe-to-toe at UFC Fight Night Vegas 13 which was headlined by Glover Teixeira and Thiago Santos.

But while Teixeira's third round submission of Santos was arguably the performance of the night, perhaps the card's best (and most gruesome) moment came during the prelims.

Brahimaj and Griffin were having an absolute war, and in the third round things escalated very quickly.

During a clinch, Griffin threw an elbow that clipped his opponent on the ear.

Brahimaj appeared to continue soldiering on, but the referee noticed his ear had be sliced and was literally hanging on by a thread.

Even as Brahimaj moved his head, you could see his ear flapping behind him.

Upon seeing this, the referee quickly intervened and wasted no time on waving off the bout.

After over 10 minutes of back and fourth action, both fighters looked pretty bruised up already but the injury to Brahimaj's ear left the duo sprayed in a crimson mess.

And extreme close-ups and a multitude of replays confirmed just how serious the injury was with the missing ear leaving a massive open wound on Brahimaj's head.

Griffin had his hand raised by the referee as Brahimaj could only stand there with a cloth over his left ear.

The brave UFC debutant took to social media after the fight.

He posted a picture on Instagram with the caption: "Hello everyone! I am fine! Tis but a flesh wound.

"On a serious note congratulations to my opponent fought a great fight and am truly happy to share the cage with him and best of luck to him.

"I will heal up, and get right back on track. From the soul I appreciate all the support I have gotten from all over!!

"Set backs are nothing new to me so they will only make me stronger. Much love y'all, see you soon."

Topics: injury, UFC, Australia, MMA, Dana White

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry