UFC contender Brian Ortega's amazing recovery from Max Holloway beating

UFC contender Brian Ortega has stunned MMA watchers with his appearance just over a week after a brutal loss to featherweight champion Max Holloway.

Ortega, 27, challenged Holloway for the 145-pound belt at UFC 231 in Toronto. He was beaten so badly by Holloway that doctors stopped the fight after the fourth round, with the courageous American suffering a broken nose and thumb, along with a horribly swollen left eye.

Here is how he looked towards the end of the fight.

Yet nine days on, Ortega released a social media image that was startling - earning him a comparison to rapidly-healing X-Men character Wolverine.

Ortega suffered the first loss of his career again Holloway. He won enormous plaudits after the fight for his toughness and was later handed a six-month medical ban from fighting, with doctor approval needed before he returns.