Hot Take: Ajagba v Kossobutsky should be a NC

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The officiating was beyond biased toward the home fighter. Efe was warned multiple times and not deducted any points. Zhan clearly got himself DQ'd in protest of the bias.

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Background: Kossobutsky has "VISA troubles" stopping him from fighting against Anderson in a highly anticipated match up. He is then allowed in to fight Ajagba (a more established opponent than Anderson).

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clearly indicated to both fighters that the foul line was at the top of their trunks.
Please note, I’m not going to include anything that landed on the line (the top of the trunks), as that is fair game.:

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Ajagba is landed some good shots on the belt line but Kossobutsky looks very comfortable, and finishes strong.

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- Ajagba lands his first low blow.​

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says “bring it up, bring it up”.

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– Zhan hooks Efe’s front foot. (unsportmanship)​

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This is where things fall apart completely.

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– Ajagba with accidental low blow. Referee indicates off the arms.

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– Ajagba connects with a one-two below the belt.​

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ignores Zhan’s complaints.

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– Ajagba lands another jab below the belt line.

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– Ajagba lands another low blow, Zhan starts turning and walking away in complaint. Ajagba follows him, lands a hook, then another very low blow.​

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officially

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Ajagba.

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1:28 – Ajagba lands too more jabs on the belt, below the line​

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gestures to keep the punches up.

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1:22 – Ajaba lands low as they clinch
1:06 – Kossbutsky dips forward and Ajagba lands a one two on the back of Kossobutsky’s head. Ajagba and Kossobutsky tangle, and Zhan stand up throwing them both to the floor. At this point it is still smiles.​

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0:26 – Ajagba accidentally hits low as they clinch
0:12 – Ajagba lands a right hook to the top of Zhan’s left leg right in front of the ref. Zhan looks annoyed now.
0:09 – Zhan retaliates with a jab to the belt, Ajagba pauses, Zhan then comes up top with a hook to head. Ajagba starts throwing back and forces Zhan to the ropes covering up.
0:04 – Ajagba throws a combination then hit’s Zhan low again. Zhang is looking angry now.​

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2:49 – Ajagba lands a low straight right hand.
2:44 – Ajagba lands a very low blow to Zhan’s nuts as they clinch. Zhan looks up and is complaining to the heavens.​

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acknowledges what was a very low blow, but again takes no action.

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2:40 – Kossobutsky retaliates, with a blatant shot to Ajagba’s nuts. Ajagba complains then falls to the floor.​

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calls time-out. Warns Zhan. Then after Ajagba has recovered, he deducts a point off Zhan. (first point deduction of his career, according to ESPN)

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Zhan knows what is up now…​

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tells Efe not to retaliate.

2:23 – Ajagba throws a low jab straight away. Lol​

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tells Ajagba “get them up”

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2:18 – Ajagba lands another low straight right below the agreed line. Zhan indicates to the ref. Ajagba keeps throwing.
2:16 – Ajagba hits him low with a right hand again.
2:14 – Zhang retaliates on Efe’s balls again.​

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calls time out, and deducts another point from Zhan. Zhan looks mildly amused now. The fight is clearly become ridiculous in his eyes. Referee warns Zhan not to foul any more, then tells both fights to “keep em up”

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2:02 – Ajagba lands another low jab in front of the referee.​

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indicates accidental as it came off the guard and rode down on the follow through.

2:01 – Zhan shrugs at the referee then lands low on Ajagba.​

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says “don’t hit him low.

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1:32 – Ajagba lands a very low one to the ball in front of the referee.​

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jumps in saying “no! stop! Calls time out, and warns Ajagba, privately blames it on Zhan’s arms, and still not points deduction.

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Tells Zhan “it’s not intentional”.

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Zhan’s body language says he can’t be arsed any more. He knows what’s up.

1:18 – grazing low blow from Ajagba
1:16 – Zhan jabs Ajagba to the ball sack.​

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says “come on let’s go, and gestures to keep them up”

0:57 – Ajagba with a low jab now.
0:24 – Kossobutsky looks like he gives no ****s now, and nonchalantly hits Ajagba in the balls. Then walks away.​

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says “you need to keep that up, lets go”

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Ajagba starts the round strong, landing a few good body shots on the belt line.
Zhan is being very passive.
Then move toward the ropes and clinch.

2:32 – Zhan hits Ajagba with a low blow, and walks away ignoring the ref​

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I think Zhan struggled with being hit with 21 "unintentional" low blows

 

I think it is difficult to expect a fighter to keep their composure in such a situation, he got hit low (unintentional or not) more than ten times in the second round alone. Ricky Hatton lost his head over a lot less when he fought Mayweather (and Cortez).

Not sure I agree, I think many fighters are expected to give as good as they get. The issue was, zero leeway was shown to Zhan, the referee escalated to point deduction without giving a warning. Ajagba was given nothing but warnings.

I agree with you here.

Well I think that was a fair assessment on his part, as he obviously felt he was fighting both Ajagba and the referee. Similar to Hatton above.

You are probably right, the U.S. of A. does seem to have a thing for calling low blows on european fighters "good body work", but taking great exception when it is the other way around. Ward/Golota (cough cough)