In the realm of combat sports, there are moments that etch themselves into our memory. At UFC 294, Victor Henry endured a groin kick from Javid Basharat that will surely be remembered for years to come.
The bantamweight bout on the undercard promised an exhilarating clash between two rising stars. However, the fight was abruptly halted early in the second round when Basharat landed an inside leg kick that appeared to strike Henry’s groin.
Unable to rise within the five-minute time limit, the fight was declared a no contest.
Henry’s audible groans left no doubt about the severity of the low blow. Yet, the doctor who entered the cage to evaluate him saw things differently.
“No, it wasn’t your groin. He didn’t kick you there,” the doctor claimed.
Rolling in pain, Henry retorted, “It’s all d*** and balls!”
Referee Lukasz Bosacki ultimately intervened to stop the fight, while Basharat apologized for the accidental blow. The two fighters exchanged a handshake, and Basharat attempted to assist Henry to his feet. However, Henry was carried out of the Octagon by his lone coach and cornerman for the fight, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett.
Although replays revealed that the groin kick was unintentional, it sparked a discussion among fighters on social media for different reasons.
Aljamain Sterling immediately tweeted, “Oh man,” followed by a prediction:
Cue all the “he’s acting” posts now. I can feel the casual urge boiling
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 21, 2023
Nicolas Dalby jumped into the conversation, asserting that no fighter would fake a reaction like Henry’s.
Nobody reacts like that if it’s not a groin shot. Intentional or not. #UFC294
— Nicolas “Danish Dynamite” Dalby (@DalbyMMA) October 21, 2023
Naturally, the doctor faced criticism for his questionable assessment.
How can you tell the guy who got kicked in the nuts that he didn’t get kicked in the nuts?
Someone should slap that doctor.
— Fremd (@joshfremd) October 21, 2023
No more below the waist leg kicks for the rest of the card just to be safe
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 21, 2023
The main card of UFC 294 features three highly anticipated matches, including a rematch between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. Hopefully, none of these fights will end with a similar controversial finish.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.