PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship: Garnett’s Controversial Defeat
Dean Garnett expressed his shock and frustration following an unexpected defeat to Baris Adiguzel in the final of the PFL Europe bantamweight championship. The bout, held at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, ended just 44 seconds into the first round when referee Dan Movahedi stopped the fight, believing Garnett was unable to continue after a series of strikes left him briefly dazed.
Controversial Stoppage
Facing adversity after a well-placed shot to the body, Garnett was in the middle of attempting a takedown when the official intervened, leading to an immediate and controversial conclusion to the match. Immediately after the stoppage, the 37-year-old from Liverpool vented his disbelief, questioning the referee’s judgement.
“What are you doing, lad?” he exclaimed, visibly upset by the decision, as Adiguzel celebrated with his championship title and a prize of $100,000 (£75,000).
Garnett’s Response
In a follow-up statement via Instagram, Garnett remarked, “That’s not how I want to lose; I want to go out on my shield. I think the ref got a bit overzealous and jumped in too soon. Fair play to Baris, but what was that all about?” He highlighted his desire to fully demonstrate his capabilities in the match, which he had labeled as the most significant of his 19-fight career, both in terms of prestige and financial stakes.
Despite being rocked by Adiguzel’s initial blow, Garnett displayed resilience and was ready to recover and engage further.
“Let me fight, I’m here to work. What a joke! That’s not how I wanted to go out. I deserve better than this, and the referee failed to provide that opportunity,”
he added in his post-fight remarks.
Other Fights on the Card
The event wasn’t solely marked by Garnett’s misfortune; fellow British fighter Connor Hughes also faced defeat. In the lightweight finale, Hughes was knocked out in the third round by Latvia’s Aleksandr Chizov, who delivered a powerful right-hand strike that left Hughes on the canvas, prompting the referee to call a halt to the match. This loss comes as Hughes aimed for redemption after a previous defeat in the finals last year.
Earlier on the fight card, Wales’ Levi Batchelor experienced a split decision loss to Rayan Balbali, while Britain’s Liam Gittens was defeated by Taylor Lapilus in a unanimous decision. This event showcased several intense matchups in the world of MMA, emphasizing both the excitement and unpredictability of the sport.
