Graphic content: UFC fighter Irene Aldana's battered face makes ...

There were staggering scenes during UFC 306 at The Sphere that had fans in the crowd squirming and looking away.

While Sean O’Malley was the main act, it was a fight in the prelims between Norma Dumont and Irena Aldana that had everyone talking.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: UFC fighter Irene Aldana goes the distance.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Dumont came out on top by unanimous decision, but Aldana lost no respect, fighting all the way to the end of the third round, despite her face being covered in blood and a massive gash above her eye.

The cut was originally caused by a clash of heads, but Aldana copped some serious punches to the face in the aftermath.

And the UFC world lost its collective mind over the scenes.

The Complex Sports social account said: “Umm ... Did Irene Aldana get hit with an axe in the octagon?????”

While MMA reporter Nina-Marie Daniele said: “Irene Aldana is a warrior! Fought all the way to the end! Mexicans are TOUGH! RESPECT!”

MMAJunkie said: “Irene Aldana might have just taken the lead for worst cut in history in her UFC 306 loss to Norma Dumont ????”

Aldana could barely see from all the blood. Credit: Getty ImagesIncredibly, she kept fighting to the end. Credit: Getty ImagesThe huge cut had people in the crowd looking away. Credit: Getty ImagesNorma Dumont couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. Credit: Getty ImagesAldana’s face was a mask of blood. Credit: Zuffa LLCThe ref made sure Aldana was OK to keep going. Credit: Getty Images

UFC legend Daniel Cormier said: “(Aldana) wants to fight. At this point, you’ve got to ... She can’t even see there’s so much blood leaking.”

And commentator Jon Anik called it a “slot machine-esque” gash on the forehead.

“It was a clash of heads ... the cut man did what he could, but Aldana is leaking,” he said.

In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili completely dominated O’Malley to claim the bantamweight title..

With scores of 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47, it was an easy for the man they call The Machine.

In the co-main event, Alexa Grasso was out to defend her flyweight title against Valentina Shevchenko, but she was no match for the 36-year-old former champ who won by unanimous decision.

And in other results, Diego Lopes spanked Brian Ortega (30-27 x2, 30-26) in a one-sided featherweight clash, Esteban Ribovics defeated Daniel Zellhuber by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29) in a classic lightweight encounter, and Ronaldo Rodríguez won his flyweight clash with Ode Osbourn by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27 x2).