Referee’s Delay Shadows Zhuman Zhumabekov’s Submission Victory at Dala Fighting Championship in Kazakhstan

At the Dala Fighting Championship event in Astana, Kazakhstan, this past Saturday, Zhuman Zhumabekov, a Kazakh bantamweight fighter, delivered a stunning slam followed by a Von Flue choke that secured him a clear submission victory midway through the first round. However, controversy arose as referee Baurzhan Zhumanov failed to stop the fight immediately, despite Abhilash Raut, Zhumabekov’s opponent, appearing unconscious with his eyes rolling back.

The Delayed Intervention and Its Impact on the Fight

As Zhumabekov executed a powerful slam and locked in the choke, Raut visibly lost consciousness, with his body going limp. However, due to the negligence of referee Baurzhan Zhumanov, the fight continued, forcing Zhumabekov to release the hold so the referee could assess the situation. This caused significant delay, and although Raut was clearly unable to defend himself, the match was allowed to go on for a few moments longer.

Fight Breakdown: Zhumabekov’s Aggressive Strategy

From the start of the first round, Zhumabekov dominated the center of the cage, pressuring Raut with relentless aggression. Raut attempted to fight back with a counter punch to Zhumabekov’s chin, but the shot lacked sufficient power. Zhumabekov continued his offensive, landing a solid body punch that pushed Raut back further.

After a few exchanges, Zhumabekov struck with a precise low kick to Raut’s leg, provoking a reaction from Raut, who landed a clean punch to Zhumabekov’s face. Fueled by anger, Raut pushed forward, delivering a combination of punches, but Zhumabekov quickly regained his composure and moved back into control.

The Crucial Slam and Submission

In a dramatic moment, Zhumabekov lifted Raut and executed a powerful slam that sent Raut crashing to the mat. Zhumabekov immediately transitioned into a Von Flue choke, securing the submission victory. Despite Raut being unconscious, the referee did not stop the fight right away, allowing Zhumabekov to continue applying the choke. Raut began to convulse, prompting immediate intervention by the medical team, who rushed in to tend to him.

Post-Fight: Zhumabekov Shows Sportsmanship

Once the fight was over, Zhumabekov immediately went to check on Raut, showing great concern for his well-being. Fortunately, Raut regained consciousness and was able to stand up and participate in the post-fight activities. Raut raised Zhumabekov’s hand in victory, and the two embraced, with Raut confirming his condition was stable.

Conclusion: A Controversial Victory

While Zhuman Zhumabekov secured a dominant victory, the controversial referee delay has cast a shadow over the impressive submission finish at Dala Fighting Championship. The incident has sparked discussions about the importance of referee intervention in ensuring the safety of fighters during critical moments in a match.