UFC fighter falls out of cage for extraordinary TKO loss
There were bizarre scenes on UFC Fight Island on Wednesday when Andreas Michailidis was TKO’d after accidentally falling out of the cage.
Michailidis copped a brutal barrage of elbows to the head from Modestas Bukauskas, with the bell to end the first round his only saviour.
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With Michailidis crumpled on the mat, the referee told him he needed to get back to his corner or risk having the fight called off.
Michailidis spun and attempted to lean back on the Octagon cage, but he was sitting right where the gate opens to let people in and out.
Moments earlier some trainers had opened the gate, meaning Michailidis topple backwards out of the cage.
The referee was left with little choice but to call the fight off, handing Bukauskas a TKO victory.
Michailidis’ mishap might have made him look groggier than he really was, but there’s no doubt he was struggling after the barrage.
Former fighter Michael Bisping questioned whether the strikes were legal in commentary, but replays appeared to show they were fine.
“I think that was a good stop by the ref,” UFC boss Dana White said afterwards.
Michailidis was left slumped on his stool for several moments after the stoppage, appearing very dazed.
UFC returns to action on Fight Island
The UFC returned to action on Wednesday from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, with an intriguing featherweight matchup in the main event.
No. 6 ranked featherweight Calvin Katter (21-4) faces No. 10 Dan Ige (14-2) and will be looking for his second win in a row after a second round TKO of Jeremy Stephens on May 9.
Ige is riding a six fight win streak, including a close decision over Edson Barboza on May 16, and hoping to move up in the division with a decisive win over Kattar.
Fight Island is a man-made plot in the Persian Gulf belonging to the United Arab Emirates.
No fans can be in attendance, but millions have been tuning in via pay-per-view.
Fight island is actually Yas Island, near Abu Dhabi.
Construction of the island began in 2006 and it is now home to motorsports and waterparks and luxury hotels.
There’s a huge mall with the world’s largest IKEA. There’s a championship golf course. Beyoncé has performed there.
If there is an island to be stranded upon, you could do a lot worse.
with Kevin Iole - Yahoo Sports
