Following a brutal back-and-forth fight at UFC 155 on Saturday, Joe Lauzon needed 40 stitches to close a large cut over his eye. While Lauzon lost the fight, he gained many fans for his tenacious performance against Jim Miller.

Lauzon is a lightweight, 155-pound division fighter, who was scheduled to face Miller in the co-main event of UFC 155: “Dos Santos vs. Velasquez II” on Dec. 29. The fight lived up to the lofty expectations before the main event.

At first, it looked like it would be a quick win for Miller. According to Yahoo Sports, Miller dominated the first round against Lauzon, starting the fight with plenty of punches that landed and ultimately opened a gigantic cut over Lauzon's right eye. Lauzon's face was covered with blood, but Miller could not end the fight in the first round. Miller continued to score plenty of points in the second round, but Lauzon mounted plenty of credible offense and an unlikely comeback. In the third round, Lauzon almost snatched victory with a leg-lock submission.

The fight went to the judges' scorecards, and, on the strength of the first round, Miller won, 29-28 on all three cards. Despite the loss, Lauzon did not leave UFC 155 a loser.

After the event, UFC President Dana White announced the “Fight of the Night” bonus went to Miller and Lauzon. Each fighter earned a $65,000 bonus on top of their fight purses.

In addition to the bonus, Lauzon earned the respect of thousands of fans for his comeback and spirited effort in defeat. Lauzon after the fight said on Twitter, “40 stitches and a lot of lost blood ... But I'm all good. Props to @JimMiller_155 on a great fight! #UFC155.”

Lauzon and his teammates have been active on Twitter, congratulating Lauzon, but also sharing pictures of the aftermath of his fight with Miller. Lauzon needed 40 stitches to close his cut and posted several photos of his face that include the stitches, plenty of bruises and other cuts on the top of his head.

Yahoo