Scandal at the World Championship – Rivals Condemn Dirkštis’ Team: “They Tried to Stick the Phone to the Face of the Unconscious Fighter“
VALLETTA, Malta – A Lithuanian fighter’s victory at the recent World Championship has been overshadowed by accusations of deeply disrespectful conduct leveled against his team. Following a knockout win by Darius Dirkštis, members of his entourage allegedly attempted to film a close-up video of his unconscious opponent, sparking outrage from the Maltese Team Noel fight and Fitness.
The incident, which occurred during the championship event, has ignited a controversy surrounding sportsmanship and ethical behavior in combat sports. The actions of the Lithuanian team are now under scrutiny, raising questions about the boundaries of competitive zeal and respect for athlete safety. The fallout could impact future competitions and perhaps lead to stricter regulations regarding conduct around injured fighters.
According to Noelius Mercieca, founder of Team Noel Fight and Fitness, the situation unfolded immediately after Dirkštis knocked out one of his fighters. “A fighter from Lithuania knocked out our fighter. While our fighter was lying unconscious, the Lithuanian told his coach to film everything. They tried to put the phone right next to the face of the unconscious fighter,” Mercieca stated in an interview with Sportas.lt.
Mercieca’s team intervened, shielding the unconscious fighter from the camera. “This is disrespectful behavior,” he added, expressing his team’s anger and dismay. He also questioned Dirkštis’s classification within the competition, stating, “He is not an amateur, he is a professional.”
The incident is currently generating significant discussion within the combat sports community, with many condemning the alleged actions of Dirkštis’s team as a violation of basic ethical standards. Sportas.lt reached out for comment from Dirkštis and his team, but a response was not immediately available.
