No one, let alone Irene Aldana herself knew she would suffer what many have termed ‘the worst cut in UFC history’ coming into UFC 306. The Mexican women’s bantamweight star was set to face then #8 ranked Norma Dumont in a bout that would have seen Aldana get back in title contention if she won.

However, things went south early in the fight as the two top-10 bantamweights clashed heads. A visible cut opened up on Aldana’s forehead immediately after their heads banged. Things got worse as Dumont relentlessly and mercilessly targeted over the next three rounds.

In the end, Aldana earned the fans’ respect by making it through the three sanctioned rounds, despite losing a decision to her Brazilian opponent. After all, so bad was the cut that it was quickly termed the worst ever in the history of the UFC. Of course, given the severity of the injury, she went to the hospital immediately and needed stitches to close the gash.

And now, reports suggest that Aldana will need to undergo plastic surgery to get rid of the scar tissue. This, of course, is essential for a fighter, since the scar is primed for being opened and thus an easy target for all her upcoming opponents. And while some fans were rightfully concerned for Aldana’s future as a fighter, she herself is quite defiant.

Irene Aldana shuts down retirement talks after massive gash on forehead

If her UFC 306 heroics weren’t enough to convince you of Irene Aldana’s courage and warrior spirit, her immediate response to suffering the nightmare-fuel gash surely will. “Just another day at the office. It was amazing to be part of this event… “I’m just fine… Recovered and ready for the next one,” Aldana wrote defiantly on her social media one day after UFC 306.

Clearly, the bantamweight star did not, even for a minute, consider retiring from the sport after the cut. This, of course, didn’t stop many many fans from suggesting she does. And the Mexican bantamweight star, clearly fed up with bombarding her to call it quits, responded to one particular fan earlier this week.

An undoubtedly concerned asked the Mexican mixed martial artist: “Please retire.” To which Aldana replied simply with “You retire :)”. While there is no word (or even rumors) about when or whom Aldana will fight next, it is clear that she will walk in the octagon with newfound respect from the fans and her peers. What do you think about Aldana’s response to being told to retire?