Player Turns Aggressive After Gyeonggi Defeat, Kicks Toward Commentator
Angry Fans Rush In for Group Beating as Well
An Iranian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter was permanently banned from competition after unexpectedly kicking a round girl’s buttocks in the ring.
According to foreign media including the Daily Mail on the 23rd (local time), Ali Haibati, an Iranian fighter who participated in the HFC (Hard Fighting Championship) event held in Moscow, Russia on the 20th, suddenly kicked a round girl’s buttocks in the ring.
In the released video, as the round girl holding the sign for the start of the first round was walking past Haibati, he lifted his leg and lightly kicked the woman’s buttocks. The startled round girl stopped briefly and approached Haibati to express her displeasure. The referee intervened to separate them, and the situation was settled, allowing the match to begin.
Haibati’s unsportsmanlike conduct did not end there. In the immediately following match, Haibati lost to Armenian fighter Opisian without lasting through the first round. Right after the match ended, unable to control his anger, Haibati cowardly attacked his opponent from behind. He also threatened and cursed at the ring commentator, kicking at him because of unfavorable comments made about him.
Later released footage showed angry spectators rushing at Haibati and collectively beating him for his unsportsmanlike behavior.
After the match, Haibati posted a video on social media in which he personally apologized to the round girl, Maria. He said, “I was so nervous before the match started that I behaved wrongly toward Maria. I want to publicly apologize to Maria. I am a married man and respect women. I am sorry to Maria. I would be very grateful if she could forgive me.”
However, despite the public apology, Haibati was permanently banned from competition by the HFC organization.
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