UFC 180 results: Gruesome exploded Leslie Smith ear gives TKO to Jessica Eye

MEXICO CITY – In one of the more bizarre finishes in UFC history, Leslie Smith was undone by the grisly state of her own ear.

Following a punch from Jessica Eye, Smith’s (7-6-1 MMA, 1-2 FC) left ear appeared to split open, causing the doctor at cageside to recommend a stoppage at 1:30 of the second round, awarding Eye (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) the victory due to injury TKO.

The women’s bantamweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC 180 event at Mexico City Arena. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of the main card on pay-per-view.

This bout started normally enough. Eye appeared to be the quicker fighter in the early exchanges, hurting Smith and moving away before Smith could launch any meaningful counter-attacks. But between the first and second rounds, cageside officials noticed considerable bleeding coming from Smith’s left ear. Replays suggested that her cauliflower ear had burst under fire from Eye, though after a brief conversation with UFC VP of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner, referee Herb Dean elected to let the bout continue.

Things only got worse in the second, however, as Smith’s ear appeared to split open near the top, separating into two distinct — and somewhat nauseating — flaps of skin. With blood flying from the open wound and the ear looking as if it was hanging off Smith’s head, Dean again called time, and this time officials recommended a stoppage, over the protests of Smith, who pleaded in Spanish for the right to continue.

It might not be the way Eye envisioned winning the fight, but she’ll likely take it, as it marks her first official win in the UFC, after an earlier victory of Sarah Kaufman was overturned due to a failed drug test. For Smith, it’s the third loss in four fights.

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(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan contributed to this report on site in Mexico City.)