Lance Palmer lost the WSOF featherweight championship in the co-main event of WSOF 35 on Saturday night, but an event in the first round may have altered the majority of the fight and, particularly, his performance.

In his first title defense since recapturing the belt last year, Palmer faced former Titan FC champ Andre Harrison. In a fight that was mostly contested on the feet, Harrison got the better of the champ, who was too tentative to deliver enough significant offense and appeared unable to pull the trigger.

That timidness likely stemmed from the fact that “The Party” broke his hand early in the opening round, the former two-time titleholder revealed on social media after the fight.

Below are photos of his x-ray, clearly showing a break, and visibly swollen hand.

Photo via Lance Palmer’s Instagram

Even with the early injury, Palmer put up a fight. He won two rounds on two judges’ scorecards, losing a decision with scores of 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47.

With the latest defeat, Palmer now has a professional record of 11-3. The 29-year-old defeated Alexandre Almeida at WSOF 32 last July to regain the title. Prior to that, he was upset by Almeida in his second title defense at WSOF 26. The Team Alpha Male product initially won the belt with a submission of Rick Glenn at the end of 2014.