In a shocking turn of events, Russian MMA fighter Idris Abdurashidov has been banned from boxing for life after delivering an illegal head kick that knocked out his opponent during his debut fight. The incident occurred on Sunday, October 20, during a non-official boxing match in Phuket, Thailand, where Abdurashidov faced undefeated Iranian boxer Bagher Faraji.
The 21-year-old Abdurashidov, who boasts an impressive 4-0 record in mixed martial arts with all his wins coming by first-round knockout, made a risky transition to boxing. However, the fight took an unexpected and controversial twist in the fourth round. As Abdurashidov found himself backed into a corner, he resorted to his MMA instincts, delivering a powerful kick to Faraji’s head—a move that is strictly prohibited in boxing. The blow left Faraji unconscious on the canvas, and the referee immediately stopped the fight, disqualifying Abdurashidov on the spot.
Lifetime Ban and Social Media Backlash
Shortly after the match, Abdurashidov took to Instagram to post a video of the knockout, seemingly unfazed by the disqualification. He captioned the video in Russian, translating to, “So that’s how my professional boxing debut went—disqualified for life. That kick I threw was like a machine gun!”
The post drew swift criticism from fans and fellow fighters. One commenter wrote, “You were getting embarrassed and had to cheat. Pathetic. Glad they banned you for life.” Another added, “You threw the kick and ran away. If the fight had lasted another 30 seconds, you would have been knocked out.”
Despite the backlash, Abdurashidov followed up his initial post with another photo of himself shaking hands with Faraji, accompanied by a caption indicating that the two fighters had made peace after the match. “We shook hands, everything stayed in the ring. We made amends,” he wrote, attempting to diffuse the tension surrounding the incident.
The Rise and Fall of Idris Abdurashidov
Born in Chechnya, Russia, Abdurashidov has quickly made a name for himself in the world of mixed martial arts. At just 21 years old, he has racked up an undefeated 4-0 record, with all his wins coming by knockout in the first round. Two of his victories were particularly noteworthy, finishing his opponents in just 18 and 22 seconds, respectively. Known for his aggressive fighting style, it’s no surprise that he has earned the nickname “Aggressor.”
However, his skills in MMA did not translate well into the boxing ring. While his record in MMA is impressive, Abdurashidov lacked the discipline needed to adhere to the rules of boxing. His illegal head kick during the bout with Faraji was a clear indication that his MMA reflexes took over in a moment of desperation.
In his brief boxing debut, Abdurashidov was struggling against Faraji, who was also undefeated in his career. By the fourth round, Abdurashidov seemed to be having trouble with the pace and strategy of boxing, prompting him to make the fateful decision to use a move straight out of his MMA playbook. The illegal strike not only cost him the fight but also his future in boxing.
A Career in Limbo
Following the disqualification, Abdurashidov’s future in combat sports is uncertain. While he remains undefeated in MMA with a perfect record, his reputation has taken a hit due to the boxing incident. The lifetime ban from boxing is a significant setback for someone who was looking to expand his fighting repertoire beyond the cage.
Abdurashidov also holds a 3-0 record in Muay Thai, another combat sport that allows kicks, which could explain his natural inclination to resort to kicking during a difficult moment in the boxing match. However, the nature of his disqualification has led some critics to call for harsher penalties, including a potential ban from other combat sports.
One commenter on social media even suggested, “You should be banned from all combat sports. What you did was not just against the rules; it was dangerous and reckless.”
Final Thoughts
Idris Abdurashidov’s attempt to break into the world of boxing ended in disaster, but his MMA career remains intact—for now. The 21-year-old fighter’s actions in the ring have sparked a heated debate about the crossover between combat sports and the ability of fighters to switch disciplines without fully adapting to the rules.
As of now, Abdurashidov continues to compete in MMA, where his aggressive style and knockout power make him a formidable opponent. However, his recent disqualification raises questions about his ability to maintain composure under pressure and follow the rules when the going gets tough.
Whether or not this incident will affect his future in MMA remains to be seen, but for the time being, one thing is clear: Idris Abdurashidov’s boxing career is over before it even truly began.
Stay tuned to Fajador.co for the latest updates on this evolving story.
