In a shocking turn of events on October 20, 21-year-old Russian mixed martial artist Idris Abdurashidov was handed a lifetime ban from professional boxing following an illegal knockout during his debut match in Phuket, Thailand.
Known for his fierce knockouts in the MMA world, where he holds a 4-0 unbeaten record, Abdurashidov’s transition to professional boxing was expected to be another bold step in his career. However, the bout ended in controversy that shook both officials and spectators.
Abdurashidov’s opponent, Iranian boxer Bagher Faraji, had put up a strong fight in the early rounds, but by the fourth round, it became evident that the Russian fighter was struggling to adapt to the stricter rules of boxing.
As the match grew more intense, frustration seemed to mount for Abdurashidov. Then, in a move that stunned the arena, he unleashed a powerful head kick—a technique illegal in professional boxing but commonly used in MMA. The kick immediately floored Faraji, leaving both the referee and audience in disbelief.
This unexpected violation of the rules left Abdurashidov disqualified and resulted in his immediate expulsion from the sport. However, the drama did not end there. The young fighter took to social media shortly after the fight, posting the knockout footage and boasting about his actions.
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His caption, when translated from Russian to English, read: “So, I debuted in professional boxing, and disqualification for life! That leg kick I threw was like a machine gun!”
The reaction to his social media post was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Critics from across the boxing and MMA communities condemned his actions as reckless and unsportsmanlike. Abdurashidov’s attitude, which seemed to glorify the illegal move, only added fuel to the fire.
Officials were quick to respond, issuing a lifetime ban from professional boxing. Further sanctions may also be on the horizon as the incident is being reviewed for potential additional penalties, particularly due to his blatant disregard for the rules and his unapologetic behavior.
This incident has highlighted the challenges some fighters face when transitioning between combat sports, especially those with differing rulesets like MMA and boxing. While many fighters have successfully made the switch, the rules in boxing—particularly the prohibition of kicks—can sometimes prove difficult for MMA fighters to adapt to. In this case, Abdurashidov’s failure to respect those rules cost him his boxing career before it had truly begun.
Beyond the ban, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about sportsmanship, discipline, and the responsibilities fighters have to uphold the integrity of the sport. Abdurashidov, who once had a promising future in both MMA and boxing, now finds himself at the center of a debate on professionalism in combat sports.
As for Bagher Faraji, the Iranian boxer has not yet commented publicly on the incident. Fortunately, reports suggest he is recovering well after the illegal blow, but the impact of such an event—both physically and mentally—can be profound.
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This event serves as a cautionary tale for fighters looking to cross over into other disciplines. Adapting to a new set of rules requires not only physical training but also mental discipline and respect for the sport’s regulations. In Abdurashidov’s case, a split-second decision to revert to MMA tactics led to the abrupt end of his boxing journey and a stain on his reputation.
Whether Abdurashidov will be able to recover his standing in MMA remains to be seen, but his career in professional boxing is officially over. The lasting impact of this incident will likely continue to reverberate throughout the combat sports community for some time.