ONE FC bans martial artist and coach for 6 months after ringside dispute

Ben King

ONE Championship’s CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, has taken action by imposing a six-month ban on coach Mehdi Zatout and Alaverdi Ramazanov. This decision came after an altercation occurred during Jonathan Haggerty’s victorious moment in Bangkok.

Haggerty, a 26-year-old Brit, had just secured the vacant bantamweight kickboxing title in ONE Fight Night 16 by defeating Fabricio Andrade in the main event. This victory also marked his status as a two-sport champion within the martial arts promotion, having previously held the Muay Thai title in the same weight class.

However, the celebratory atmosphere was disrupted when Venum Training Camp’s co-owner, Mehdi Zatout, and former title challenger Alaverdi Ramazanov, both of whom have affiliations with the gym, attempted to confront the new champion. This confrontation transpired after they “bypassed security” to enter the ring.

In response to this unsanctioned intrusion, Chatri Sityodtong announced the six-month suspension of both Zatout and Ramazanov. During this period, they will be prohibited from attending ONE events.

Chatri explained, “After the main event, they breached security and forced themselves into the ring despite attempts by security to prevent them from doing so. It is unacceptable behavior and jeopardizes the safety of everyone in the stadium. I expect our athletes, coaches, managers, and everyone else to behave in a professional manner at all times towards ONE staff and to respect the rules and regulations employed by ONE. Safety is our highest priority.”

While Alaverdi Ramazanov voiced his intentions to challenge Haggerty during the live broadcast of the event, the British kickboxer responded with composure. He pointed out that Ramazanov had been actively seeking fights through social media callouts and expressed his uncertainty about how Ramazanov managed to enter the ring.

Haggerty’s reaction to the altercation was one of amusement. He questioned how Ramazanov had gained access to the ring and playfully described him as “a little bit of an idiot,” emphasizing the importance of choosing the right time and place to create a promotional buzz.