GRAPHIC: UFC champ Rafael dos Anjos shows off gruesome ear injury before last loss

UFC lightweight king Rafael dos Anjos has done his best to make his Intagram followers vomit with terror with a recent post.

The Brazilian was given that coveted golden strap after comprehensively beating Anthony Pettis in the headline act at UFC 185. The win marked RDA’s fourth consecutive victory inside the Octagon, with his last loss coming at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov in April 2014.

Khabib faces fan favourite Donald Cerrone on the stacked UFC 187 card, with the winner all but guaranteed a shot at dos Anjos’ title. After already beating him once, Khabib might be considered the favourite to usurp Rafael dos Anjos’ throne.

However, dos Anjos shared a photo of a horrific ear injury he was nursing prior to the Khabib loss, which, given the timing might be construed as a bit of an excuse.

How does having a messed up ear hinders your ability to stuff takedowns, you ask? I guess we’ll never know.

This happened during the camp of my last loss, many things happened but I don’t cancel the fight. Most of people don’t understand how hard fighters life is. I took 14 stitches, almost lost my ear. I went there, fought and lost but thanks God for always take good care of my life and open the way and give me opportunity for learn. Love what I born to do!! FIGHT!!||—>>>Isso aconteceu no treinamento da minha última derrota, muitas coisas aconteceram mas eu não cancelei a luta. Muitas pessoas não tem noção das dificuldades que os lutadores passam, tomei 14 pontos e quase perdi a orelha. Fui lá lutei e perdi mas agradeço a Deus por sempre tomar conta da minha vida e me dar oportunidades de aprender. Amo oque eu nasci pra fazer!! LUTAR! #Jesus #JesusFirst #champion #ufc #evolvemma #evolvefightteam #kingsmma #gordojj #blessed #blackbelt #speedofsport

A photo posted by Rafael Dos Anjos (@rdosanjosmma) on Apr 26, 2015 at 12:00am PDT