Footage of an MMA fighter being attacked by fans invading the ring has gone viral.
Dutch fighter Murthel Groenhart was attacked by two fans after he knocked out his opponent Harut Grigorian while his back was turned.
One of the craziest things I've ever seen at a fight. pic.twitter.com/ijAdtuF1NL
— Todd Grisham (@GrishamMMA) June 10, 2017
Incredibly, despite the shocking footage Groenhart got away with just a cut to the inside of his cheek.
The footage was captured by Glory Kickboxing announcer Todd Grisham, who caught up with Groenhart after the fight.
This is the fighter that got punched by a fan, @MurthelG Still smiling! @GLORY_WS Kickboxing pic.twitter.com/0DGSSzd0pF
— Todd Grisham (@GrishamMMA) June 11, 2017
The extraordinary incident was captured at the 42nd event of the Glory World Series in Paris – with Grigorian suffering the controversial knockout in the second round of the pair’s meeting.
Despite the fans’ anger, the event-coordinators granted Groenhart, 30, the victory because the referee had not stopped the match before his knockout blow to the 28-year-old Armenian – who inexplicably walked towards the corner of the ring after a knee to his face.
In an interview with Glory after the match Groenhart said he had no regrets over the manner of the stoppage, saying “protect yourself at all times”. On the punch to the face he received from the audience member, he said: “It is what it is.”
In an official statement Glory said they were “shocked and appalled” by the two individuals who attacked Groenhart and said they intend to pursue the prosecution of the pair “to the fullest extent of the law”.
