Bellator MMA fighter Derek Anderson felt the full force of Michael Page’s powerful kick after having his nose brutally broken.
The duo were scrapping at Bellator 258 on Friday when “Venom” emphatically picked up his fifth consecutive win.
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The scrap lasted just one round when Page unleashed his left foot square in the face of Anderson.
With his guard down, it caught him flush in the nose, causing the 31-year-old to stumble to the canvas.
He managed to get back to his feet and saw it out until the end of the round – but the ringside physician determined his nose was in no fit shape to continue.
He certainly had a point with images showing Anderson’s nose flattened and brutally broken.
Anderson eased fears after the bout by taking to Instagram and admitted his preparation for the fight was hampered by kidney failure.
He wrote: “Still smiling.
“Thank you @bellatormma @therealscottcoker. Love to be back ASAP but went to the hospital 4 times as I was having kidney failure my whole camp and could hardly train, I wanted to make this fight happen.
“I’ll be back after a short vacation to recover and now I have some new wounds to lick.
“To my friends, family and fans I LOVE you all and don’t worry about the haters. I’m happy to get to lead the life I do and criticism is part of it.
“Broke my hand drawing first blood so there’s that, but all respect to @michaelvenompage, definitely want to do it again sometime.”
Page paid tribute to Anderson and opened the door to a rematch once he’s fully recovered.
He said: “He’s a tough guy. I really do respect that guy. Very tough, young guy.
“He will be back. One hundred per cent I know that. We’ll probably end up meeting again and it will be a different fight.
“I’m used to tough guys. Tough guys are only good when they can hit their target.
“Strength means everything when you can land it but it means nothing when you can’t, and that’s my whole thing.”
This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.