The horrifying video, released by TMZ, has exposed the vicious punch Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice delivered inside an elevator to his then-fiancée.

READ: MAN SEXUALLY ASSAULTS WOMAN ON TRAIN

In the footage, the athlete can be seen arguing with Janay Palmer, who he shockingly went on to marry two months later.

When Palmer steps towards the athlete, he lashes out violently, knocking her into the handrail of the elevator and rendering her unconscious.

Rice then dragged his unconscious wife-to-be out of the Revel Hotel's elevator and into the hallway.

READ: WOMAN TAKES TO FACEBOOK TO SHOW AFTERMATH OF SHOCKING SEX ATTACK AT NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

Rice was later found guilty on an aggravated assault charge for the incident, which happened on 15th February 2014.

However the NFL, who saw the footage, went on to suspend the player from just two games - a move that prompted critics to accuse them of taking a weak stance on domestic violence.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has since announced harsher penalties for domestic abuse, telling league owners in a letter last month that he "didn't get it right" in Rice's case.

READ: OUTRAGE AS VOGUE ITALIA USES 'DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IMAGERY' TO PROMOTE COUTURE FASHION

WARNING: DISTURBING FOOTAGE BELOW

Ray Rice -- ELEVATOR KNOCKOUT ... Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch [Video] - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe