Yannick Bahati is facing significant criticism after achieving the fastest knockout in Cage Warriors history.
Last night at The Indigo at the O2, the 35-year-old fighter competed against Charles Joyner in a highly anticipated match.
Following Brad Pickett`s prediction of a quick victory for Leon Edwards at UFC London, his teammate Bahati also aimed to make headlines.
He certainly succeeded in drawing attention, though the manner of his victory is debated.
Yannick Bahati Criticized for `Cheap Shot` at Cage Warriors 186
In a moment filled with excitement and controversy, Yannick Bahati scored the quickest knockout ever seen in Cage Warriors, landing a powerful right hand just four seconds into the fight.
While the strike was technically perfect, its sportsmanship is being questioned.
As the fighters met in the center of the cage to touch gloves, Bahati launched a knockout blow while their hands were still clasped, leaving his opponent stunned on the ground.
This fight was a rematch after their previous encounter ended in a draw. Bahati`s wild celebration, climbing onto the cage in excitement, is understandable given the victory.
However, his elation may be short-lived as he faces online backlash for his actions.
One fan commented, “Cheapest shot I’ve seen in a while,” and another questioned, “Did he lure him in for a fist bump and then KO him??? Pretty dirty.”
Another user described it as the “Fastest sucker punch.” A fourth commenter, while disapproving of the tactic, pointed out a key principle in combat sports: “It was cheap to strike during the glove touch, but also, always defend yourself.”
Yannick Bahati Eyes Cage Warriors Title Opportunity
Despite the controversy surrounding his win, this victory undeniably propels Bahati towards bigger opportunities. He has expressed his desire to challenge for the Cage Warriors light heavyweight title.
In his post-fight interview, Bahati stated, “James Webb is a strong competitor. We were scheduled to fight twice before. I hope to get the chance to fight James Webb in the future.”
He added, “To be honest, the belt holder doesn`t matter to me. I came here with one goal: to wear these yellow gloves and win that gold belt for my two sons.”
