Russian MMA fighter Idris Abdurashidov has been handed a lifetime ban from boxing following a controversial incident during his professional debut in Phuket, Thailand.
The 21-year-old, known for his knockout ability in mixed martial arts, delivered an illegal head kick to his opponent, Iranian boxer Bagher Faraji, during the fourth round of their match on 20 October.
The shocking move resulted in Faraji being immediately floored, leaving officials and spectators stunned.
Abdurashidov's subsequent boastful social media post about the incident has further fuelled the controversy, leading to widespread criticism and severe sanctions.
The incident occurred during Abdurashidov's professional boxing debut, where he appeared to be struggling by the fourth round.
In a sudden turn of events, the Russian fighter unleashed an MMA-style head kick, immediately knocking out Faraji.
Idris Abdurashidov pulled out an illegal head kick
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This move, whilst common in mixed martial arts, is strictly forbidden in boxing.
Abdurashidov later shared footage of the knockout on social media, seemingly boasting about his actions.
His caption, translated from Russian, read: "So he debuted in professional boxing. And disqualification for life, that leg kick I threw (was) a machine gun!"
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The video quickly circulated online, sparking outrage and debate within the combat sports community.
The incident has sparked significant backlash, with many calling for severe consequences.
One Instagram user commented, "You were getting embarrassing and you had to cheat. Classless and I'm glad you're banned for life."
Another added, "How are you proud of this? Easy to catch someone with a kick when they're only expecting punches from a shorter range."
The controversy has led to a lifetime ban from boxing for Abdurashidov, with additional sanctions being considered.
Some fans have even called for a broader ban, with one stating, "LIFETIME BAN FROM ALL MMA SPORTS, BOXING, UFC, KICKBOXING, ETC. BAN HIM FOR LIFE."
In an attempt to reconcile, Abdurashidov later shared a photograph of himself and Faraji shaking hands.
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Idris Abdurashidov insisted he apologised for his actions
He captioned the image: "We shook hands between us, everything is fine, we made up."
However, this gesture has done little to quell public outrage. One social media user commented: "This just shows he's a good dude.
‼️ Undefeated MMA fighter Idris Abdurashidov was losing his boxing debut over the weekend and so KO'd his opponent with a HEAD KICK. He was instantly disqualified but has posted the clip and boasted: "That kick with the leg I threw [was] a machine gun"
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 22, 2024
[📽️ Idris Abdurashidov] pic.twitter.com/fdm3JGzJKo
"It doesn't negate the fact that you're a clown who deserves a lifetime ban from combat sports."
Despite the reconciliation, the incident has raised serious questions about sportsmanship and safety in combat sports.
The long-term consequences for Abdurashidov's career remain uncertain as authorities consider further sanctions.
