AN MMA star's nose exploded in a blood-soaked cage - causing both fighters to slip in a gory contest that shocked social media.

Matt Dwyer's face looked like a scene from a horror movie but the UFC veteran somehow battled on against Chris Curtis, who could be heard telling his cornermen: “There’s so much blood.”

6 Matt Dwyer suffered a shocking injury to his nose and around his eye in a chilling clash with Chris Curtis Credit: Fight Network

One Mixed Martial Arts fan tweeted "animals" after the gruesome grappling at the Z Promotions Fight Night 9 event in Alberta, Canada.

And another armchair critic posted: "This is like killing each other legalised in America.. this is not a sport but killing beating each other for money."

The fight was brutal from the off, each man landing fierce shots in the first three rounds.

Then, in the fourth, blood streamed out almost uncontrollably when "The Action Man" Curtis disected Dwyer’s nose with a clattering blow.

6 MMA fighters Chris Curtis and Matt Dwyer struggled in a blood-soaked cage Credit: Fight Network

6 MMA battlers Chris Curtis and Matt Dwyer fought on fiercely, despite blood streaming all over the cage from the fourth round Credit: Fight Network

Curtis told his cornermen how tough it was to avoid slipping in a ring crimson red with blood.

Dwyer showed amazing grit to not only keep fighting but even trouble Curtis in a fifth-round slug-out.

But Curtis steadied himself to clinch a unanimous points decision at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge.

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6 UFC veteran Chris Curtis came back strongly despite this gruesome injury

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