'Saddle Ranch' Star: Xmas Hoodlums Gave Me a Black Eye [PIC]

One of the stars of VH1's "Saddle Ranch" claims he got his ass handed to him by a group of thugs Christmas weekend -- and he has a new, nasty black eye to prove it.

SR bull operator Dave Collins tells TMZ, he and a pal were minding their own business on their way out of a bar in Minneapolis Friday night ... when suddenly, out of nowhere, a gang of unidentified males jumped them, and fists started flying.

Collins says he and his buddy were eventually able to get away, but not before taking several shots to the face -- adding, "We fled the scene as quick as possible because we didn't know if the guys had knives or guns ... It was a really scary moment in my life."

So far, no arrests have been made.