The world of mixed martial arts is no stranger to violence, but every once in a while, an injury occurs that shocks even the most seasoned veterans and executives of the sport. Following the conclusion of UFC Vegas 123 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, UFC CEO Dana White took to social media to share graphic before-and-after imagery of welterweight fighter Farman Hasanov. The photographs, which captured the devastating damage inflicted during a gruesome doctor-stoppage defeat, quickly circulated across the combat sports community, proving once again the unforgiving nature of the Octagon.
The bout in question served as a high-stakes preliminary feature that kicked off the main card on October 31, 2026. Farman Hasanov, fighting out of Azerbaijan, stepped into the cage to face Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani in a pivotal welterweight showdown. From the opening bell, the fight showcased the high-level tactical adjustments and physical demands characteristic of modern mixed martial arts at the highest level.
As the contest unfolded, Lebosnoyani established early control, successfully securing the first two rounds across all three judges’ official scorecards. However, the true turning point of the fight arrived midway through the second frame. Lebosnoyani dramatically elevated his offensive output, shifting the momentum of the bout by unleashing a relentless flurry of punches. Among those rapid-fire strikes, a particularly devastating blow landed cleanly, slicing open the skin above Hasanov’s left eye and creating a deep, severe laceration that immediately altered the landscape of the fight.
The severity of the injury became a focal point as the fighters headed into the final round. Lebosnoyani, a 27-year-old competitor carrying the moniker "The Lion," did not let up. He strategically targeted the compromised area, continually attacking the expanding cut with punches and pressure to compound the damage.
Between rounds, ringside physicians closely evaluated Hasanov’s condition. Referee Dan Miragliotta, maintaining a vigilant eye on fighter safety, was instructed to closely monitor the worsening wound as the action resumed in the final stanza. As the clock ticked past the two-minute mark of the third and final round, the accumulation of damage and the alarming state of the cut forced a definitive intervention. Miragliotta stepped in, halted the action, and called upon the medical team once more. With the referee and doctors in agreement, the bout was waved off, awarding Lebosnoyani a technical knockout victory via doctor stoppage.
Dana White Shares Gnarly Photos of Farman Hasanov’s Cut
Hours after the final horn sounded and the dust had settled at the Meta APEX, Dana White provided fans with a stark reminder of the physical toll exacted inside the cage. Utilizing his official Instagram Stories, the UFC executive shared unfiltered visuals documenting the extent of Hasanov’s facial trauma.
Leaning into the timing of the event, which conveniently aligned with Halloween, White captioned the initial, unstitched photograph of Hasanov’s gaping wound with a brief, lighthearted remark: "Happy Halloween." The subsequent slide in his Instagram story revealed the aftermath of the medical intervention, showcasing a close-up image of the fighter’s heavily stitched-up face, which highlighted the extensive surgical repair required to close the laceration.
The stoppage loss marked a monumental and painful moment in Hasanov’s professional career, dealing a severe blow to his competitive momentum. Prior to the welterweight encounter at UFC Vegas 123, Hasanov had enjoyed an unblemished professional mixed martial arts record, riding an impressive five-fight winning streak that had established him as a rising prospect to watch within the division.
Having officially launched his professional MMA career in 2022, Hasanov had steadily built a reputation as a durable and formidable competitor. His journey to the premier organization culminated earlier this year when he made his promotional debut at a UFC Fight Night event in June 2026, where he faced Eric Nolan. In that outing, the 31-year-old fighter put on a measured performance, ultimately securing a hard-fought unanimous decision victory to successfully introduce himself to the UFC fanbase.
The loss to Lebosnoyani serves as the first professional defeat on Hasanov’s record, abruptly halting his upward trajectory in the talent-rich welterweight division. While the gruesome cut and the subsequent TKO defeat represent a significant setback, the resilience displayed by Hasanov in continuing to trade strikes despite the severe injury underscores the unrelenting grit required to compete under the bright lights of the UFC. As Hasanov takes the necessary time to recover from the surgical repairs and physical trauma, the division moves forward, leaving the dramatic Halloween-night imagery etched into the memories of fight fans worldwide.
