The Danish MMA Federation overturned Khusein Askhabov's TKO of Reinaldo Ekson at Airtox Dominance FC 8 to a disqualification and suspended him and his cornermen for 12 months.
From 4 reports by 4 outlets
What we know
- The DMMAF overturned Khusein Askhabov's first-round TKO win over Reinaldo Ekson to a disqualification, announced Monday, Oct. 26.
- The bout was the lightweight co-main event of Airtox Dominance FC 8 in Copenhagen on Oct. 17.
- Askhabov and his cornermen are suspended 12 months from all DMMAF-sanctioned events and activities.
- The DMMAF said Askhabov's actions during a timeout were a serious violation of the Unified Rules of MMA.
- Askhabov says the decision makes no sense and that he never intended to hurt anyone; Ekson called the ruling fair.
A result that stood for nine days is gone. The Danish MMA Federation (DMMAF) reviewed the co-main event of Airtox Dominance FC 8 and decided Khusein Askhabov should never have been given the win. The first-round TKO over Reinaldo Ekson is now a disqualification, and the punishment reaches well past the scoresheet.
The lightweight bout took place Oct. 17 in Copenhagen. After an eye poke, a timeout was called, and Askhabov went after Ekson during it. His cornermen tried to enter the cage, the referee restrained Askhabov and security intervened, according to MiddleEasy. The referee eventually awarded Askhabov the TKO anyway. Ekson's team protested on social media until the federation announced its final decision on Monday.
The DMMAF said Askhabov's conduct was a serious violation of the Unified Rules, warranting disqualification regardless of the circumstances of the original stoppage. It suspended him and his cornermen for 12 months from all DMMAF-sanctioned events and activities, in any role including fighter, coach or cornerman. That is a federation sanction, not a worldwide ban. MiddleEasy reports the DMMAF also acknowledged its original decision was incorrect and promised to strengthen procedures and support for officials.
Ekson, who is Brazilian, told MMA Fighting the decision was fair and that justice prevailed. He said illegal blows to the back of his head hurt him badly and that Askhabov's thumb in his eye left him with blurred vision and a week of antibiotics. Askhabov, replying under the DMMAF's post, said he came to fight, never meant to hurt anyone and could not see how his opponent was declared the winner.
Askhabov, 31, is a Russian fighter who competed in the UFC featherweight division. Per MiddleEasy, the promoter's live fighter platform still showed a first-round doctor-stoppage win for him after the ruling, a listing that had not caught up with the federation's decision.
Watch for any appeal from Askhabov and whether other organizations honor the suspension. The fight records should be updated to show the disqualification.
The lightweight bout took place Oct. 17 in Copenhagen. After an eye poke, a timeout was called, and Askhabov went after Ekson during it. His cornermen tried to enter the cage, the referee restrained Askhabov and security intervened, according to MiddleEasy. The referee eventually awarded Askhabov the TKO anyway. Ekson's team protested on social media until the federation announced its final decision on Monday.
The DMMAF said Askhabov's conduct was a serious violation of the Unified Rules, warranting disqualification regardless of the circumstances of the original stoppage. It suspended him and his cornermen for 12 months from all DMMAF-sanctioned events and activities, in any role including fighter, coach or cornerman. That is a federation sanction, not a worldwide ban. MiddleEasy reports the DMMAF also acknowledged its original decision was incorrect and promised to strengthen procedures and support for officials.
Ekson, who is Brazilian, told MMA Fighting the decision was fair and that justice prevailed. He said illegal blows to the back of his head hurt him badly and that Askhabov's thumb in his eye left him with blurred vision and a week of antibiotics. Askhabov, replying under the DMMAF's post, said he came to fight, never meant to hurt anyone and could not see how his opponent was declared the winner.
Askhabov, 31, is a Russian fighter who competed in the UFC featherweight division. Per MiddleEasy, the promoter's live fighter platform still showed a first-round doctor-stoppage win for him after the ruling, a listing that had not caught up with the federation's decision.
Watch for any appeal from Askhabov and whether other organizations honor the suspension. The fight records should be updated to show the disqualification.
- Summary
- The Danish MMA Federation overturned Khusein Askhabov's TKO of Reinaldo Ekson at Airtox Dominance FC 8 to a disqualification and suspended him and his cornermen for 12 months.
- Key points (one per line)
- DMMAF changed Askhabov's first-round TKO of Reinaldo Ekson to a disqualification, announced Monday.
Askhabov and his cornermen are suspended 12 months from all DMMAF-sanctioned events and activities.
Ekson called the decision fair; Askhabov said it makes no sense to him.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- MMA Fighting | https://www.mmafighting.com/latest-news/517985/ufc-veteran-disqualified-for-serious-violation-tko-win-overturned
MMA News | https://www.mmanews.com/article/ufc-veterans-tko-win-overturned-disqualification
MiddleEasy | https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/khusein-askhabov-dmmaf-disqualification-suspension-ekson/
UFight Greece | https://www.ufight.gr/mma/27374-proin-machitis-ufc-tou-akyrosan-niki-me-tko-apokleismos-12-minon
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