VIDEO: UFC 289 Fighter Suffers Gnarly Gash Due To Brutal Headbutt That Ends Bout

One UFC 289 fighter was on the wrong end of a rough headbutt, which ended his night early.

Fernando Quiles Jr. | Jun 10, 2023

VIDEO: UFC 289 Fighter Suffers Gnarly Gash Due To Brutal Headbutt That Ends Bout /

Chris Curtis couldn't catch a break at UFC 289.

Curtis was in action against Nassourdine Imavov inside Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Imavov was having success in the fight, but in the second round, an accidental clash of heads derailed everything. It was clear that Curtis was having trouble seeing out of his eye due to the headbutt.

Curtis was checked on by the Octagon-side doctor and referee Jason Herzog. Curtis begged Herzog to not stop the fight. The official told Curtis that if the doctor tells him he can't see out of the injured eye, then he can't continue. Ultimately, Herzog stopped the fight.

Chris Curtis enters the Octagon for a UFC fight against Jack Hermansson. — (via Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports)

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Here is the anticlimactic end to the featured UFC 289 preliminary fight:

Chris Curtis was pleading for the fight to continue. Warrior. #UFC289 pic.twitter.com/SQjCfuZAqI
— UFC (@ufc) June 11, 2023

Our Featured Prelim's over early.

It will be ruled a no contest due to an accidental clash of heads #UFC289 pic.twitter.com/YOyydQ0lGw
— UFC (@ufc) June 11, 2023

Nassourdine Imavov vs Chris Curtis goes into the books as a No Contest ✍️ #UFC289 pic.twitter.com/80MvPt0GXh
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) June 11, 2023

This is the second time Curtis has been negatively impacted by an accidental headbutt inside the Octagon. Curtis claimed an accidental headbutt suffered in his April showdown with Kelvin Gastelum cost him the fight. Curtis said he would even appeal the loss to Gastelum. Now, he finds himself with the first no contest ruling of his pro MMA career due to a headbutt.

Time will tell what's next for Curtis and Imavov. Whether or not the UFC will attempt to rebook the fight is unknown at this time.

UFC 289 LIVE RESULTS: NUNES VS. ALDANA, OLIVEIRA VS. DARIUSH

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Published Jun 10, 2023

FERNANDO QUILES JR.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.