Video: Diego Brandao was just fine with stoppage: 'His ear was in half'

NEWARK, N.J. – While UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan seemed disappointed that Jimy Hettes was ruled ineligible to continue at UFC on FOX 15 after a nasty gash opened on his ear, Diego Brandao felt confident officials made the proper decision.

“It was really bad,” Brandao said after the win. “Hettes didn’t want to stop it, but I think the judges called it right to stop it because his ear was in half – maybe it fell, off a piece of it there. So the stop is very good.”

Brandao (19-10 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and Hettes (11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) met on the UFC Fight Pass-streamed prelims of Saturday’s UFC on FOX 15 event, which took place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

The opening round was promising in terms of action, and the two seemed destined to put on an exciting clash, but an elbow Brandao threw on the floor tore open a nasty wound on Hettes’ ear, and blood flowed freely down the side of his face.

The two battled until the bell, at which point doctors decided it was in Hettes’ best interest to halt the contest.

It was a bittersweet result for Brandao. The much-needed result snapped a two-fight losing streak for the Brazilian slugger, but no fighter wants to win due to a cut. Add in the odd history between the two, after a January contest was scrapped the day of the fight, and Brandao admits he wasn’t completely satisfied.

“I’m kind of confused,” Brandao admitted. “The last time the fight didn’t happen, and now it’s happening but this isn’t the way I wanted it. So basically, I’m still not happy. I wanted a KO.”

To hear more from Brandao, check out the video above.

And for complete coverage of UFC on FOX 15, check out the UFC Events section of the site.