Some things don’t deserve a pass.
That was the overwhelming fan sentiment following Idris Abdurashidov’s wildly illegal and savage (in a bad way) head-kick KO of an opponent during a boxing match.
Abdurashidov, a professional MMA fighter, was making his boxing debut. According to multiple reports, Abdurashidov was losing the match when he became frustrated and delivered the head kick that knocked his opponent out cold.
Here is a look at the video which long-time combat sports journalist Michael Benson posted.
Perhaps the worst thing about the video’s circulation is that it can be found on Abdurashidov’s Instagram account. The caption in the video is written in Russian, and it says: “Вот и дебютировал в профессиональном боксе, И пожизненная дисквалификация, этот удар ногой я выбросил автоматом!”
The text translates to this in English: “So, I made my debut in professional boxing, And a lifetime disqualification, I threw that kick automatically!”
If you simply pop it into Google Translate, it refers to a “machine gun,” but a deeper translation reveals there is no mention of a firearm. However, the word “автомат” can refer to an automatic weapon or machine gun.
It’s unlikely that’s what Abdurashidov was saying, and more likely, he is implying the kick was thrown as a reflex. From the perspective of someone who has covered combat sports for 16 years and has watched for more than 40, this didn’t look like an accident or a reflex.
There was no immediate remorse or even an attempt to pull back on the force of the strike. As someone who goes back some decades in combat sports, watching Abdurashidov’s actions reminded me of what James Butler did to Richard Grant back in 2001. That fight was over, but what Abdurashidov did was nearly as egregious.
Abdurashidov sought out his opponent after the fight, apologized, and somehow convinced the young man to take a picture with him despite his dangerous, rule-breaking actions.
Abdurashidov posted the video to his story.
That clarification and the odd “reconciliation” won’t provide much of a pardon for the 21-year-old fighter who last competed for ONE Championship in September and is undefeated in four professional MMA fights.
Fans and people in the combat sports community didn’t hold back with their criticism of his actions and their suggestions for punishment.
One commenter on IG wrote:
“You were getting embarrassing and you had to cheat. Classless and I’m glad you’re banned for life. 0-1 boxing.”
Another said:
“He have to be banned from all the sports.”
A third commenter said:
“When you’re about to lose and your weak mind doesn’t want to accept it.”
It is tough to imagine another combat sports organization allowing Abdurashidov to compete anytime soon–even in MMA. However, I’ve learned to never say never in boxing or MMA.
The lifetime ban from boxing seems like a given, but a case could be made Abdurashidov’s punishment should spill into his primary sport. There may not be much of a consequence in banning Abdurashidov from a sport he will probably never try his hand at again.
