At the Hard Fighting Championship (HFC) event held in Moscow, Iranian MMA fighter Ali Heibati kicked a ringgirl, resulting in his permanent ban from the organization.
The ring girl, identified as Maria, was walking past Heibati, displaying the round card, when he stepped forward and delivered a kick to her derriere. The action not only shocked those in attendance but also prompted immediate intervention from the referee, who issued a stern warning to Heibati for his inappropriate conduct.
Despite the unsettling start, the fight against Arkady Osipyan proceeded but ended abruptly, with Osipyan securing a victory by technical knockout in the first round. The tension did not subside post-match; Heibati further compounded the night’s disturbances by attempting a high kick at a commentator, leading to his physical altercation with several audience members.
In the aftermath of these events, Heibati took to social media to apologise to Maria and express regret for his actions. He stated, “I didn’t act right with her… I just wanted to go out and fight,” attempting to explain his behaviour as misplaced aggression.
The wider MMA community has strongly condemned the incident. It has reflected poorly on Heibati’s professional conduct and led to his indefinite exclusion from the HFC.
The HFC’s decision underscores the organization’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport and ensuring the safety of all participants, including fighters and support staff.
