A striking moment unfolded during the UFC Baku prelims on June 21, marking a debut event in Azerbaijan and reviving memories of a rare penalty involving Jon Jones. The fight card showcased talents such as Curtis Blaydes, Oban Elliott, Rafael Fiziev, and Nazim Sadykhov, with veteran middleweight JunYong Park also competing in a bout that would draw significant attention.
The highlight of this electrifying prelim was an unusual occurrence where Ismail Naurdiev, after delivering an illegal knee, was handed an uncommon two-point deduction, echoing decisions not seen in the UFC since incidents involving Jon Jones and Roman Bogatov.
Ismail Naurdiev Penalized for Illegal Knee and Premature Victory Celebration
During the second round of the fight, Ismail Naurdiev launched an illegal knee strike at JunYong Park while Park was grounded against the fence. The knee hit Park’s face hard, causing him to fall back as referee Lukasz Bosacki immediately intervened to pause the action. In a confusing moment, Naurdiev mistakenly thought the match had been stopped in his favor and celebrated by raising his hands and climbing the cage, only to realize the fight was still ongoing.
Despite the severity of the knee strike, medical officials declared Park fit to continue, avoiding Naurdiev’s disqualification. However, the rules required a stringent penalty, and Naurdiev received a rare two-point deduction. This type of penalty has been scarce in the UFC, with one notable instance at UFC 251 when Marc Goddard deducted two points from Roman Bogatov, and another when Jon Jones was given two points off for an illegal knee to Anthony Smith at UFC 235. Jones, however, maintained control and secured a decision victory despite the penalty.
JunYong Park Overcomes Injury to Secure Unanimous Decision Win
Following the damaging strike and resulting swelling to his left eye, Park fought through substantial pain and likely impaired vision throughout the final round. Demonstrating resilience and determination, ‘The Iron Turtle’ dominated the last round to claim a convincing unanimous decision victory. Judges scored the fight 29-26, 29-26, and 29-25 in Park’s favor, as announced by Bruce Buffer.
This win was a setback for Naurdiev, marking his first loss in the UFC after defeating Bruno Silva at UFC 308 in October. Park, on the other hand, improved his record with this victory, now boasting six wins in his last seven fights and maintaining momentum with back-to-back wins. His strong showing in Baku is likely to attract higher-profile opponents in future bouts.
The Significance of Rare Two-Point Deductions in UFC History
The two-point deduction against Naurdiev stands out in UFC history due to its rarity, highlighting how unusual and serious the illegal strike and subsequent premature celebration were. Comparisons to Jon Jones’ rare penalty emphasize the strict consequences fighters face when breaking rules in critical moments. This incident not only impacted the outcome of the bout but also added to the tense and unpredictable atmosphere of UFC Baku’s inaugural event in Azerbaijan.
As UFC continues to expand its global reach, moments like this underline the importance of consistent officiating and discipline within the sport, possibly influencing future rulings on illegal strikes and fighter conduct during matches.