MMA star Ali Heibati has been handed a lifetime ban from the Hard Fighting Championship (HFC) after kicking a ring girl.
The Iranian took on Arkady Osipyan at the Hardcore MMA tournament in Moscow, but before the bout even began Heibati kicked a ring girl from behind as she walked past holding up a card signalling that the opening round was about to start.
The woman turned round, clearly surprised, and voiced her anger before the referee stepped in to keep them apart. He then had to warn Heibati about his conduct before the fighter went on to lost to Osipyan in the first round.
The Iranian’s bout lasted 30 seconds as the referee waved it off, but as Osipyan walked back to his corner Heibati jumped up and started attacking his opponent, landing multiple cheap shots while his back was turned.
Several people ran into the cage to separate the two men as they waited for the official verdict.
After the contest Heibati got hold of the microphone and appeared frustrated that something that was said to him and aimed another kick, this time towards a commentator, before exchanging angry words with the man.
Footage has also emerged of Heibati then getting attacked by members of the crowd following his loss.
Heibati has now posted on social media to apologise to the ring girl, named Maria: “Hello everyone. This is for Maria. I didn’t act right with her. The reason was that before the MMA fight there were a lot of fistfights. I stayed there in the cage and I just wanted to go out and fight. I was tense and, as most understand, emotions flourish in the fight, so before the fight I acted badly towards María. I want to publicly apologise to her. I am a married man, so I respect the female gender. She was doing her job and I, after the fight, didn’t admit my guilt either, because they also hit me on the head. Tell María that I am sorry.”
Despite his apology, Heibati has still been hit with a lifetime ban from HFC.
