(Video) MMA pro celebrates win with a mock execution, sparks a debate

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MMA fans were left conflicted after a heavyweight celebrated his win inside the cage over the weekend.

Mixed martial artist Ahmed Al-Rubaye took on Charbel Diab last night on a card put on by the UAE Warriors. Al-Rubaye dominated opponent by finishing him in the first round. Ahmed Al-Rubaye submitted Diab with a choke from the back.

After securing the tap, Al-Rubaye dismounted his opponent and performed a mock style execution during his celebration..

Part of the community didn’t see a problem with the mock execution celebration, some even finding it funny.

MMA fans weren’t quite sure how to interpret Al-Rubaye’s gesture and seemed evenly split between dismay and slight amusement.

This isn’t the strangest scene we’ve seen in MMA but it certainly mirrors previous controversies in both boxing and MMA.

Previously Tito Ortiz and Caleb Plant both celebrated by mock grave digging close to their defeated opponents. The gesture was also not well received for the most part.

Caleb Plant was showed off of his opponent during a similar celebration last year.

Caleb Plant scored an impressive knock out win against Anthony Dirrell. The 30 year old was hoping to rebound from a loss to Canelo Alvarez.

Plant finished Dirrell in a violent sequence many consider a contender for knock out of the year.

Plant delivered an epic KO after his corner advised he ‘sit down’ on his punches and maximize power. After delivering shots to the side of his body he transitioned into a hook that caught Dirrell clean and flattened him out on the spot.

But it’s what he did after that got him into hot water with the public. Plant appeared to mimic the digging of a grave by shoveling the imaginary dirt on top of his concussed opponent in celebration.

This was likely a tie in to a white shirt with “Plant flowers” written on it Dirrell’s wore earlier in the week.

Referee Harvey Dock rushed Plant when he saw it and attempted to get him to stop. He’s far from the first to attempt this celebration. Ortiz had done it 15 years earlier in UFC.