The outcome disappointed the entire Accor Arena, as the fight was breathtaking.
This Thursday, Baysangur “Baki” Chamsoudinov won by TKO (referee stoppage) in the third round against Cédric Doumbè.
A stop which raises questions, since “The Best” had not been touched by his opponent.
After a few seconds in the third round, the Frenchman complained about his foot, and the referee decided to stop this confrontation, amid general incomprehension.
But why did he make this decision?
Let's rewind the events.
In the third round, Cédric Doumbè first complained about his foot for the first time, explaining to the referee that he had something stuck under his foot.
As the regulations recommend, the referee must ask the fighter to continue, which Doumbè did.
However, he hardly moved anymore.
Faced with this immobility, Baki asked what was happening, pushing Cédric Doumbè to show his foot to the referee.
The Englishman Mark Goddart then stopped the fight, believing that the Frenchman was refusing to fight.
MARC GODDARD STEPS IN!
Baki takes home the W!#PFLParis pic.twitter.com/gGauAVp80n
— PFL (@PFLMMA) March 7, 2024
“I didn't want to stop the fight, I wanted to continue but I had a small piece of glass in my foot,” explains Doumbè.
It hurts me.
I just wanted to take it off and move on.
The referee said I couldn't stop so I continued.
My opponent showed that I had a problem, so the referee stopped.
» In the process, Doumbè asked the public not to whistle Baki, specifying that the problem came from the referee.
The decision in any case disappointed the entire Accor Arena, because the fight kept all its promises.
The two fighters offered a rematch, if the PFL agrees to pay the price because Baki felt he was underpaid for this poster.