Swedish-Afghan lightweight Sahil Siraj won’t be fighting at tonight’s OKTAGON MMA event following a backstage brawl involving UFC vet Reza Madadi and Siraj’s scheduled opponent Akonne Wanliss.
The cocky Brit was acting up towards Siraj and his team at several occasions during fight week, approaching them aggressively at the airport repeatedly shouting profanities at Siraj, who was just smiling trying to shake his opponent’s hand.
Things later got physical during a faceoff where Wanliss was once again shouting expletives, but this time putting hands on Siraj as well.
Video: UFC vet Reza Madadi fed up, attacks Sahil Siraj’s OKTAGON MMA opponent Akonne Wanliss
Retired UFC fighter Reza “Mad Dog” Madadi, was already riled up at the airport and was later forced to leave a press conference according to OKTAGON MMA. Madadi and someone else from Siraj’s team then waited in the hallway and later attacked Wanliss as he was walking out, as can be seen in a video posted on the promotion’s Instagram page.
Press the arrow to the right in the Instagram post bellow in order to watch the video.
OKTAGON MMA has released a statement regarding the incident, confirming that Sahil Siraj vs Akonne Wanliss will still be part of the 1 million euro Tipsport Gamechanger lightweight tournament, but that the bout has been rescheduled to OKTAGON 56 in Birmingham due to Wanliss apparently not feeling fit to fight at tonight’s OKTAGON 54 show in Ostrava as originally planned.
Furthermore, OKTAGON MMA clarifies that Sahil Siraj was not involved in the incident, but that the coaches who took part in the brawl have been banned for life from the promotion.
Several people are showing support to Reza Madadi in the comments section on Instagram, including UFC star Khamzat Chimaev, as some believe Madadi stood up for himself properly considering the disrespect shown by Wanliss.
According to sources, Wanliss had asked for half of Siraj’s purse following the incident. Siraj accepted those terms, but Wanliss still opted to halt the bout despite getting cleared by a doctor.
Read more: Get to know the fighters in the OKTAGON €1 million lightweight tournament
Also check out: Watch fighter punch OKTAGON MMA owner in the face!
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