UFC cameras caught the cageside doctor making a worrying prediction to end the final main event of the year.
Welterweight contenders Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley clashed atop the UFC Tampa card, which took place at the Amalie Arena in Florida on Saturday night.
Buckley was in the driving seat after two rounds. The 30-year-old had dropped Colby Covington and opened up a nasty cut just above his right eye.
Just before the end of round three, veteran referee Dan Miragliotta called a halt to the action and invited the UFC doctor to take a look at the damage.
Colby Covington nearly lost his eyelid
Viral footage shows the doctor taking one look at the cut and immediately shaking her head in the direction of the referee, who she advised to call off the fight.
The physician claimed Covington would ‘lose the eyelid’ if he was allowed to continue competing.
“It’s hanging down,” she told Miragliotta.
“He’s gonna lose his eyelid.
“You see how it’s cut open?”
As soon as he heard those words come out of the doctor’s mouth, the referee immediately waved off the fight to give Buckley the biggest win of his career.
Covington looked unhappy with the decision. The fans had a mixed reaction to the finish and his opponent barely celebrated what was a disappointing end to a brilliant year for the UFC.