GRAPHIC: Brazilian bantamweight Raphael Assuncao undergoes surgery after grim ankle injury

Goodness gracious.

Brazilian bantamweight Raphael Assuncao was rocketing towards a shot at TJ Dillashaw's UFC belt, late last year, when an ankle injury left him hobbled. The 33-year-old, who had won his last seven bouts, injured his ankle in December 2014 but was told he would not require surgery. He rushed back to training only to have the injury flare up. He was placed in a protective boot and, when doctors took another look, he was advised that his ankle needed screws to stabilise it. Eight screws. Assuncao underwent successful surgery on his right ankle, on Thursday, in Atlanta. Here are some of the GRAPHIC pictures of the surgery procedure, shared by his manager Daniel Rubenstein. If the bantamweight's rehab goes to plan, he hopes to return to action by the end of this year. By unfortunate coincidence, Assuncao's twin brother, Freddy, was at the same hospital, on the same day, to undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL. H/t: MMA Fighting