Leah McCourt lost out to Sinead Kavanagh in a gruelling featherweight war at Bellator 275 on Friday night.
Despite picking up a leg injury early in the first round, former world title challenger Kavanagh toughed it out to claim a unanimous points decision.
Two of the judges scored it 29-28 in the Inchicore fighter's favour, with the third scoring it 30-27.
"The knee went in the first second. I don't know what happened," Kavanagh said afterwards.
"It just buckled and I couldn't even stand up and punch, so I had to go into the dogfight. I went to the dogfight and I told you I have a good ground game."
She added: "I thought this was it (when I got the injury). I thought I was finished and couldn't go on. But I just ground my teeth and showed a good Irish heart, a fighting heart."
A brilliant opening round saw McCourt take the fight to the floor, but Kavanagh almost ended it early with a kimura.
But as she has done on numerous occasions in her career, McCourt displayed remarkable powers of recovery to survive the onslaught.
The second provided more breathless action but Kavanagh's injury appeared to be taking it's toll with her left leg frequently giving way.
McCourt targeted the leg in the third and final stanza and went for the finish after dominating Kavanagh on the ground.
But as the round ended it was Kavanagh who appeared to get on top, landing some heavy blows on her County Down opponent.
It was a thrilling co-main event that had the 3 Arena on its feet, and the win has earned Kavanagh another shot at world champion Cris Cyborg.
