Video: MMA fighter is unconscious for 90 seconds: 'I saw death so close'

Moment when R. Barbosa fits the hand triangle. Photo: Reproduction/Youtube

One of the fights at Demolidor Fight 13, on Saturday (18), in Bauru-SP, provided one of the most shocking scenes in MMA and has caused controversy. The clash between Melquizael “Melk Kaut” da Conceição and Rafael 'Coxinha' Barbosa was worth the organization's lightweight belt. Coxinha ended up victorious after a submission in the third round. The fight was only ended almost two minutes after the hand triangle was applied, after Melk apparently convulsed in the position.

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Coxinha tells the referee when he feels his opponent's body softening. “I fit the triangle and I knew it was very tight, because I'm good at that triangle. But when he got down, he let go of his body, and I immediately told the judge: “He blacked out.” And the judge said he hadn't deleted it. So I loosened my grip, because I knew he had blacked out, but I was still stuck, because he still wanted to win the fight. The referee was talking to the corner (of Melk); It's not about listening to the corner, he wants their athlete to win! Then he started moving his leg, but I think it was due to a seizure. The judge ordered his release after almost two minutes. I warned the referee two or three times”, Rafael told the website “Combate.com”.

According to Conceição's businessman, Adriano Vilela, Melquizael remained unconscious for 10 minutes before opening his eyes. The fighter recalled moments between being treated and arriving at the hospital:

“It was the worst experience of my life, not because I blacked out, but because of how long I was blacked out. When I woke up, her vision returned, but she couldn't breathe. People were calling me, I started to see my master, but I was immobile, I couldn't move my body and my breathing was blocked. They put an oxygen mask on me, and then I couldn't breathe. I could only shake my head to take off the mask, and I heard my master say that the guy put on the mask but didn't turn on the device. And then, I slowly began to breathe again, but my vision started to get blurry, it came and went. I was conscious, but my vision was blurry. My breath started to come back again, (…) they took me to the ambulance, I passed out again and came back, but it dried out my throat a lot, it felt like my tongue was sticking in my throat. I asked for some water and was told I couldn't drink water yet. At the hospital, they gave me serum and I was finally fine, I spoke to my wife and reassured her,” he said.

Although Mequizael has already recovered, he must undergo more tests. Vilela intends to charge the event for the cost of the exams, and sue them as responsible for the error.

Video: Rafael 'Coxinha' submission

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