Soto compares bloody fight to having 'water all over your face'

(Warning: Photo contains graphic imagery)

Joe Soto looked like someone who should be in an emergency room, not in the middle of a cagefight.

But that's exactly where the bantamweight veteran found himself on Saturday, engaged in a battle with Rani Yahya that became a gruesome spectacle after an accidental clash of heads opened up a large cut above Soto's left temple.

As Soto's blood painted the canvas, the only thing more amazing than him staying conscious was that he went on to defeat Yahya by unanimous decision.

Speaking to the media afterward, Soto explained that his wound was mostly superficial and that it didn't feel nearly as bad as it looked.

"It was weird," he said. "It was the first time I've ever been cut like that, really bad. I've been cut at practice a little bit, I've been cut in fights, but that one was dripping in my eye a little bit.

"But it's mental. You just don't let it affect you. I don't think it did affect me too much. It's a little bit of blood, it just feels like water all over your face. A little bit of blood never hurt nobody. Blood, sweat, and tears, that's what we put into this thing. And my sacrifice is my blood for this victory."

Soto's sacrifice was rewarded with his third straight win, a miraculous turnaround from the career-worst three-fight skid he experienced after signing with the UFC in 2014.

For his sake, let's hope the fighting gods demand a less disgusting offering next time.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)