UTMA Fighters Involved in On-Set altercation ahead of September Tournament
Kaunas, Lithuania – A scheduled filming session for the UTMA 13 tournament descended into a physical altercation on Tuesday when fighter Ignas Pauliukevičius attacked Edvinas Šalkovski, his upcoming opponent, during an interview at the Žalgiris Arena. The incident, which involved exchanged blows, prompted intervention from the filming crew and fellow UTMA athlete Dominykas Dirkstys.
The unexpected clash occurred as preparations intensified for the UTMA 13 event on September 27th. The organization swiftly responded with a financial penalty, aiming too address the unsportsmanlike conduct and reinforce its commitment to safety and respect within the sport. This incident underscores the high stakes and emotional intensity surrounding competitive fighting, and raises questions about managing athlete interactions outside of the regulated ring surroundings.
According to a statement released by UTMA via Facebook, Pauliukevičius initiated the conflict by striking Šalkovski during the interview, escalating into a “greater physical conflict.” As a outcome, UTMA has imposed a 30% reduction on Pauliukevičius’s future fight royalties.
The organization clarified that the full amount of this penalty will be added to Šalkovski’s earnings from his upcoming fight against Pauliukevičius. “The UTMA organization condemns violence and aggression outside the ring – combat sport is and must be restricted in the ring, according to athletic rules, mutual respect and tradition,” the statement read.
