MMA referee screams at doctors to help as former UFC star carried out of cage after sickening kick to testicles
A REFEREE screamed for help from a doctor after a former UFC star crumpled in agony from a kick to the testicles.
Stricken Alexander Romanov had to be carried from the cage on a stretcher after just his second Professional Fighters League (PFL) match.
5
5
5
The Moldovan, aka King Kong, was once a top UFC heavyweight prospect.
But the 34-year-old switched to a different Mixed Martial Art earlier this year.
And he was closing in on a PFL heavyweight title shot when a sickening blow sent him reeling.
Romanov was taking on Russian Valentin Moldavsky, 33, in Chicago.
And his eye-watering fate came as early as the opening round.
Romanov had been struggling to seriously trouble Moldavsky, despite landing a few of his renowned slam takedowns.
And when the younger man got up, he put on enough pressure to leave King Kong tiring.
Little more than 30 seconds were left in the first of the three five-minute rounds when the distressing moment arrived.
The pair were grasping each other on the ropes when Romanov delivered a knee to his opponent.
5
Moldavsky returned the blow in kind - but accidentally went too low.
Romanov instantly slumped to the floor, holding his groin - while his rival protested his innocence.
Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford in another twist as UFC boss Dana White says he IS promoting super-fight
The ref yelled for medical aid as Romanov was in obvious agony and fight fans looked on worried.
Meanwhile, Moldavsky sunk to his knees, with his head down - apparently in rueful reflection
The cage-side doctor dashed over to treat the stricken giant.
And the doc soon confirmed the inevitable - that Romanov would be unable to continue.
The 18st 13lbs wrestler was then taken away on a stretcher.
It meant the bout - a PFL heavyweight tournament semi-final - was ruled a "no contest".
Romanov had dazzled when winning his only other PFL fight in May, beating 40-year-old American Timothy May by submission.
It left the East European well placed for a title shot - until a badly placed knee in his very next fight.
5
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Emma Raducanu issues telling four-word response after being quizzed on Carlos Alcaraz relationship as romance rumours intensify
Emma Raducanu has finally addressed rumours surrounding her off-court connection with Carlos Alcaraz. The pair are due to partner in doubles at the US Open in August, but speculation about a possible bond beyond the tennis court has grown after Raducanu was seen supporting the Spanish star at the Queen's Club Championships earlier this month. Raducanu was seen supporting Alcaraz last Thursday and Saturday, sparking talk around Queen's that there might be 'something going on between them', as the pair were spotted laughing and joking together and arriving at the venue just minutes apart. Their most recent link-up came this week, with Alcaraz being confirmed as the latest global ambassador of Evian ahead of Wimbledon - the tournament's official water supplier since 2008. Raducanu also works with Evian, her collaborative work starting after she became the hottest property in British sport by winning the US Open in 2021, which led to her signing lucrative deals with the likes of Nike and Christian Dior. When asked whether they had discussed tactics for the US Open during the Evian event, the British No 1 said: 'No, it was fun yesterday. We were both on court with Evian. 'Yeah, we were just getting some volley practicing ahead of New York. Yeah, I'm really happy obviously to be playing with him. Yeah, we had a good time yesterday.' Later in the press conference, Raducanu was inevitably asked about the romance rumours, to which she smiled and said: 'We're just good friends.' The interview moderator then cut off further questions, prompting Raducanu to laugh and remark: 'Way to wrap up!' The two US Open champions - Raducanu won in 2021, Alcaraz a year later - are good friends, growing up together on the tour. 'He's so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,' said Raducanu about Alcaraz when asked how their bond began. 'I've known him for years. Wimbledon 2021 was the first time I started getting to know him. He was always playing the day before me, I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too. 'It was really cool to go through that tournament together and then I kept going through the US Open, we were staying in touch for the whole time and, yeah, it's nice. 'We have a good relationship still. He's obviously overtaken me a lot, but it's nice that we have that from a while ago.' Alcaraz, also 22, told Mail Sport at Queen's that Raducanu made him wait before agreeing to team up. 'Gotta keep them on their toes!' Raducanu joked. 'I had to ask my team if they thought I should play, but when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to go through the formality of asking my coach.' Ahead of Wimbledon, Alcaraz clinched his second Queen's Club title with a thrilling 7–5, 6–7(5), 6–2 win over Jiri Lehecka last Sunday.
Daily Mirror
44 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr fight LIVE: UK start time, results and stream
Jake Paul returns to action later this evening when he takes on former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The YouTuber-turned-boxer has not fought since his controversial showdown with Mike Tyson. Despite failing to get a knockdown in the fight, the 'Problem Child' scored a dominant victory on points. Paul had hoped to return to the ring earlier this year - following sensational reports that the American was finalising a deal to fight Canelo Alvarez in May. However, the Mexican opted to pen a deal with Riyadh Season instead. It has been a rather quiet few years in the ring for Chavez Jr. The 39-year-old - who holds a professional record of 54-6-1-1 - ended a three year hiatus last July when he defeated former UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall. Paul is hoping that a win over Chavez Jr will earn him several high profile fights going forward, but his upcoming foe will be looking to cause a real upset and hand the 'Problem Child' only his second defeat. Be sure to stay tuned with all the live updates below... Hello everyone and welcome to our live blog for Jake Paul's showdown with Julio Chavez Jr. Tonight's event promises to be an exciting watch - with the card stacked from top to bottom with several big names. As well as the main event, Zurdo Ramirez - one of the world's best cruiserweights on the planet - will defend his world titles against former champion Yuniel Dorticos, and victory could see him her a potential blockbuster showdown with Jai Opetaia later this year. But all eyes are on Paul - who has not fought since his dominant win over Mike Tyson. Tonight marks the American's first fight this year and is planning on a busy rest of 2025 should he come away unscathed against the former middleweight champion.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Live Benfica vs Chelsea: Team news and build-up from Club World Cup
Welcome to live coverage of the Club World Cup, where Chelsea are taking on Benfica at the Bank of America Stadium for a place in the quarter-finals. Chelsea have made several changes to the side that beat Esperance de Tunis last time out, with Robert Sanchez returning in goal for the Blues, Moises Caicedo restored to midfield and Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer back in a front line spearheaded by new signing Liam Delap, who has been impressive so far in the United States. There is no Nicolas Jackson in the line-up as he is serving a two-match suspension after receiving a red card.
