The bizarre moment the president of Karate Combat chokes out a fighter's cornerman... as chaos erupts at the end of heated bout with rivals clashing after decision
- Luis Melendez beat Will Esparaza at Karate Combat 47 with tensions boiling over
- The cornerman approached the pit, appearing angry before he was choked out
- President Asim Zaidi could be seen laughing after making a swift exit from pit
The president of Karate Combat choked out a fighter's cornerman as chaos unfolded at the promotion's 47th show.
Orlando, Florida played host to the show held by the promotion, which has run since 2018 after being founded by Michael Depietro and Robert Bryan.
It had gone as expected until the fight between Luis Melendez and Will Esparaza, which went to a decision and the reactions caused chaotic scenes inside the fight pit.
Melendez was declared the winner of the welterweight bout via unanimous decision, but, rather than showing respect to his opponent, he began to taunt his corner following the victory.
It resulted in a number of bodies jumping into the pit, and one man rendered unconscious due to the actions of president Asim Zaidi.
Karate Combat president Asim Zaidi choked out a fighter's cornerman after a fight at the promotion's 47th show
He made a swift exit after doing so as the cornerman was helped back to consciousness
Zaidi (left) is known to run a tight ship with the promotion, which has been running since 2018
After Melendez was confirmed the winner of the fight, he appeared to point at a member of his opponent's coaching team in an angry manner.
The man he appeared to be addressing didn't back down, however, and stormed the pit in pursuit of the 26-year-old.
That was when the choas broke out, with a number of other coaches and cornermen jumping into the pit to break up the melee.
Among those was Zaidi, who is known to run a tight ship in his promotion and wasn't ready to stand for any disorder post-right.
He grabbed the cornerman around the throat in a choke hold, keeping hold of it until the member of Esparaza's team was unconscious.
He made a swift exit and was seen smiling after jumping back into the crowd, with the man helped back to consciousness before Esparaza's team were escorted out of the building.
Luis Melendez had appeared to jester towards the cornerman after being confirmed as winner
A number of officials swarmed the pit as the cornerman lay unconscious on the mat
Zaidi could be seen smiling in the crowd after making his exit from the pit on the back of his actions
At the end of 2023, Zaidi told The Sun: 'There is 100 per cent an epidemic of McDojos around the world, that's a huge problem. There are black belts that are nine years old - that has ruined the name of karate.
'People do not respect karate, that's the truth. I hate to say it, but they don't.'
'I truly believe that karate has died, I truly believe it. And I can debate it with anyone - people make fun of it.
'When you watch Karate Combat, these guys are legit strikers. They're unbelievable strikers, they're talented fighters and their takedowns are gorgeous. They're so talented that it's really restoring the name of Karate.'
