Muay Thai Referee After Stopping KO'd Fighters Head Hitting The Floor
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Muay Thai referee Sittichai Ineiad has become an internet sensation after being praised for making sure fighter Neymar Paeminburee didn't smack his head on the canvas.
Neymar was fighting So Sovarathana in Cambodia in their Muay Thai fight on Saturday when Sovarathana landed a big elbow with just over a minute left of the second round.
The strike instantly knocked Neymar out and he looked to be crashing towards the mat when the referee threw himself down and wrapped his arm around the downed fighter to make sure he didn't suffer damage on impact.
So Sovarathana with the hellbow knockout against Neymar at todays Muay Hardcore. pic.twitter.com/tBVruqVXEI
- Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) February 15, 2020
UFC and MMA journalist Ariel Helwani was amongst those that praised Ineiad for his actions in potentially reducing any further damage to the fighter.
Wow. What a mensch move by the ref. https://t.co/B33ue1n471
- Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 15, 2020
Hey @Beyond_Kick - does this referee have a twitter account? I'd like to send him a tweet to say well done for saving this fighter from bouncing his head off the canvas :pray:
- Nonlinear Horse (@NonlinearHorse) February 15, 2020
That elbow was ice cold. That ref had amazing instincts and reaction
- 303 Rep'n (@MrFightPro) February 15, 2020
This is an unbelievable KO. But I dunno how many times I've squirmed in discomfort seeing a the back of a KOd fighters head bounce off the canvas when the body goes limp. This ref has definitely saved him from extra damage. Would love to see some mma n boxing refs follow suit
- kdocmma (@kdocmma) February 15, 2020
What a referee. First time I rewatched a ko vid for ref only.
- Szymon Krukowski (@szkrukowski) February 15, 2020
Props to the ref pic.twitter.com/ZikIdM6gMq
- Jake Evans (@JakeEvans_18) February 15, 2020
Great job by the ref not letting the back of his head slam. A+
- NBA Stat Lord! Sactown (21-33) (@MMAScoutLive) February 15, 2020
And it looks like that referee wasn't the only one making sure the fighters were okay on the night, with refere Rojjanawat Somsri attempting a similar feat, although he couldn't quite save the fighter.
The referee in question is Sittichai Ineiad.
- Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) February 15, 2020
Bonus clip from later that evening showing referee Rojanawat Somsri. pic.twitter.com/mBahcfZN83
More refereeing like that and less refs letting fights go on too long would make boxing, MMA and other fight sports far easier to watch.
Topics: kickboxing, MMA News, Ariel Helwani, MMA
