- Zuluzinho got knocked out in a controversial fight at AMC
- The Pride legend is now 0-2 in the promotion
Veteran Vale Tudo fighter Zuluzinho was on the wrong end of the highlight-worthy match at the AMC Fight Nights Global event in Minsk, Belarus this Saturday. The 44-year-old got viciously knocked out after appearing to be on top of his opponent, Petr Romankevich, and working his way to an advantageous mount position.
A questionable call?
Delving into the fight, “Zulu” appeared to be pulling off an Americana while on top when the referee in charge suddenly stepped in and asked both fighters to stand up. After getting back to his feet, Romankevich regained control and took advantage, beating the Pride legend with a flurry of strikes. The Brazilian quickly got rocked and the final straw was a savage knee from Romankevich that landed straight to the face of Zuluzinho, sending him literally face-first into the mat.
My GOD. Petr Romankevich brutally KO's Zuluzinho after a terrible stand up by the referee. Absolutely faceplanted #AMCFN114 pic.twitter.com/2zrwK32wS7
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 3, 2022
Holy shit that was bad pic.twitter.com/OudfTvvfgE
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 3, 2022
What happened?
As expected, fans on social media blamed the referee and the notion that the fight was fixed was also brought up. However, a Twitter user named AlreadyDemon posted a part of an article from a wmmaa.org which states that AMC has instructed the referee to break such situations on the ground and get the fighters back to their feet after one minute.
“From now on, in AMC Fight Nights, from the moment when the athletes were on the ground, the judges count exactly one minute,” said Hajiyev. “And after one minute, at the command of the timekeeper, the referee raises the athletes to the rack. It doesn’t matter what happens at that moment – a bright finishing move, a painful hold, or something else. The minute ended, and the one who was in a dominant position did not use his chance, and the one who was not in it simply survived and used his chance to save. Therefore, a minute – and the parterre is completed. I hope that the new rules will refresh Russian MMA,” the post read.
Yes pic.twitter.com/coxUHffH64
— AlreadyDemon's Artwork (@AlreadyDemon) September 3, 2022
Zulu needs a win
Since joining AMC last year, Zuluzinho has yet to secure a win under the Russia-based promotion’s banner. He also lost in his AMC debut in February 2021 to Yusup Shuaev. With an underwhelming 0-2 AMC record, Zulu is now thirsty for a long-awaited W.
Will AMC still book Zuluzinho for another fight? Let’s wait and see.
