Coming out of this past weekend’s ONE Championship: Iron Will on a high thanks to a suplex KO, Kritsada Kongsrichai has come crashing back down to reality as the promotion has had a shocking change of heart.
And now for a bit of odd news stemming from Saturday’s ONE Championship: Iron Will in Bangkok, Thailand. Topping the undercard, Kritsada Kongsrichai had pulled off the rarely seen and always exciting slam KO. Hoisting opponent Robin Catalan up in a suplex and sending him crashing back down, it was a highlight reel victory for Kongsrichai.
What a slam TKO by Kritsada Kongsrichai ! pic.twitter.com/lArCekYA1K
— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) March 24, 2018
Now, however, the rug has been pulled out from under Thai fighter. ONE has decided that the suplex was illegal, and overturned the original outcome — a TKO victory for Kongsrichai. Instead, he gets a DQ, and Robin Cataln picks up both the win and his win bonus.
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced the news on Facebook:
Unfortunately, I have to be the bearer of bad news. While I am a big fan of Kritsada Kongsrichai and his incredible athleticism, the fight against Robin Catalan has now been ruled a DQ. After careful video review of the fight under multiple angles, it has been deemed that an illegal suplex was utilized. At ONE Championship, all variations of suplexes are illegal and any attempt or intent results in an automatic disqualification. Robin Catalan will now be awarded the victory, and his win bonus. It will also be ruled a loss via DQ for Kritsada Kongsrichai and his official fight record. As a fellow lifelong martial artist, I fully understand that no athlete wants to win or lose under the cloud of a DQ. However, as the leader of ONE Championship, I am here to ensure that safety is the #1 priority at all times for all of our athletes.
Sityodtong went on to call ONE’s officials, referees, and judges “truly the best in the world” despite the original decision.
With the change in results, Kongsrichai, a.k.a. ‘Dream Man,’ will fall to 6-4. Catlan meanwhile improves to 7-3.
