UFC 294 is already underway and we have already witnessed some amazing fights. In what has shaped up to be one of the year’s best cards, fans have been very excited for this one. However, amidst all the action, Javid Basharat’s fight against Victor Henry ended in a rather bizarre fashion.
For the most part, UFC 294 has been hyped up due to its makeshift main and co-main event. Following a surprising turn of events, both fights saw some last-minute replacements, arguably making the card even better. However, despite the new and improved card, the undercard remains pretty stacked as well.
So how is this not a TKO?!
15-0 Alhamdulillah for everything ❄️🐆🇦🇫#UFC294 pic.twitter.com/p2nwddP3AD— Javid Basharat (@JavidBasharat) October 21, 2023
In one of the final prelim fights of the night, Javid Basharat (14-0-1NC) took on Victor Henry (23-6-1 NC) in a bantamweight bout. Initially, the contest started off pretty even, with both fighters staying crisp and focused. Following a razor-close Round 1, Basharat connected with a thunderous kick to the groin of Henry, who immediately dropped to the canvas, indicating a low blow.
Since it was rather quick, a lot were unable to determine whether it was really a low blow or not. Eventually, the fight was declared a no-contest, after Henry was unable to recover after the five-minute time-out. Basharat even took to social media to post a clip where the cage-side physician can be heard telling Henry that the kick was not on his b***s. “15-0 Alhamdulillah for everything”, he wrote on social media.
Victor Henry disagreed with the cageside doctor’s assessment
Naturally, Basharat, along with many other fans disagreed with the judge’s decision to declare the fight a no-contest. Following the kick, Henry could be seen writhing in pain for a considerable amount of time. Following that, the cageside physician made his way into the Octagon to check on the fighter.
In numerous clips that have surfaced online, the doctor can be heard saying, “It wasn’t your b**ls”. However, a very distressed Henry stated, “IT WAS ALL D*CK AND B**LS”. Notably, the doctor’s prognosis was not well accepted by the commentary desk, who were of a different opinion. Here, Jon Anik could be heard growing rather frustrated with the doctor not taking the hit into consideration.
Doctor: “It wasn’t your balls”
Henry: “IT WAS ALL DICK AND BALLS” pic.twitter.com/OPRXXU15if
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) October 21, 2023
We’re in the hospital right now to get an ultrasound and some exams. His balls are swollen to like the size of a Satsuma.
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) October 21, 2023
Further, referee Daniel Movahedi also disagreed with the doctor’s assessment and ruled the kick as a foul. Thus, all things considered, the fight was declared a no-contest at 0:15 of Round 2. Following the declaration of the result, Henry was assisted to the back by coach Josh Barnett and commission officials. Soon thereafter, Jon Anik also revealed that Victor had vomited backstage due to the immense pain.
Moreover, Henry’s head coach Josh Barnett also revealed that the fighter had been rushed to the hospital. According to his tweet, the American underwent an immediate ultrasound which showed massive swelling in his genitals. “We’re in the hospital right now to get an ultrasound and some exams. His b*lls are swollen to like the size of a Satsuma.” As such, it is expected that after Henry’s recovery, the fight will take place at a later date, possibly at the end of the year.