PAULO COSTA has shared gruesome photos of the infection which forced him out of UFC 294.
The former middleweight title challenger was due to make his octagon return in the co-main event of Saturday night's Abu Dhabi card.
'Borrachinha' was due to be welcomed back to the cage by the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.
But a gruesome and dangerous staph infection, which was located in his right elbow, forced the Brazilian to undergo surgery and withdraw from the contest.
Costa, 32, was removed from the card last week but kept the severity of the infection under wraps.
But the knockout artist and his girlfriend revealed gruesome snaps of the infection on social media on Tuesday.
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Photos showed the infection had left a HOLE near the point of Costa's elbow.
His girlfriend and manager – Tamara Alves – wrote on her Instagram story: "People think that chronic infection is something simple.
"They should see how Paulo's elbow looks now."
An excerpt of Costa's accompanying caption for the post read: "I will be back sooner than later. Thanks!"
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Scores of MMA fans sent their well wishes after seeing the grotesque snaps, with one saying: "Speedy recovery man."
Another said: "Feel better dude."
And another said: "Get well soon. Health is wealth."
One remarked: "Damn he wasn't kidding oof that sucks. Hope for[a] speedy recovery."
Another chimed in: "That looks nasty. Glad you pulled out, Paulo."
Costa's withdrawal from the card paved the way for former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman to step up on 11 days notice to face the undefeated Chimaev.
And UFC president Dana White has revealed the winner of the Abu Dhabi dust-up will be the next assignment for newly-crowned middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
When asked to confirm the rumours of a title shot for the victor, he told Pat McAfee: “That is an absolute fact.
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“The fact that these guys are taking this fight on short notice.
"[The winner] will get the next shot at the title barring injuries and other things that can possibly happen.”
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