Askhabov Loses Win, Suspended 12 Months After Timeout Attack

Former UFC fighter Khusein Askhabov had his October 17 victory overturned to a disqualification loss after attacking his opponent during a referee timeout.

Askhabov faced Reinaldo Ekson at Airtox Dominance FC 8 in Copenhagen, where he was initially awarded a TKO win after the bout was stopped. According to Sherdog, the Danish Mixed Martial Arts Federation reviewed footage showing Askhabov attempting to strike Ekson after the referee halted action for a suspected eye poke.

DMMAF Overturns Result, Imposes Suspension

The federation ruled the timeout attack violated the Unified Rules and declared Ekson the winner by disqualification. In an official statement, DMMAF wrote the decision came after determining "Askhabov's actions during the timeout constituted a serious violation of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts and warranted disqualification, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the initial stoppage."

Both Askhabov and his corner team received 12-month suspensions from all DMMAF-sanctioned events. The ban prohibits participation as a fighter, coach, cornerman or in any other capacity under the federation's Code of Conduct.

Askhabov fought once in the UFC, dropping a unanimous decision to Jamall Emmers in 2023. Later that year, the promotion scrapped his scheduled bout with Daniel Pineda following an arrest in Thailand on allegations of kidnapping, torture and extortion. Those charges were reportedly dropped. His next fight date remains unclear with the suspension in place through October 2027.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Ex-UFC fighter Khusein Askhabov loses win, gets 12-month suspension