Li Jingliang had a flag of China ripped from him by a UFC employee after celebrating his win.
Jingliang was making a return for the first time since being submitted by rising star Khamzat Chimaev last October. The Chinese star had dropped to No.14 in the 170lb rankings and was looking to stop a rot which had seen him lose two of his last three fights prior to the event.
In spectacular fashion, Jingliang recorded victory over Muslim Salikhov by stopping the fight in the second round. However, it was the events that unfolded after the final bell that resonated with fans across the UFC world. Jingliang saluted the crowd at the event in Long Island and paraded around the Octagon with a flag of his native China draped around his shoulders.
A UFC official then entered the cage and confronted Lingliang, snatching the flag away from his body. The Chinese star attempted to protest against the actions of the official and made it his mission to retrieve the flag, but was left empty handed. This came after the UFC issued a ban earlier this year on any countries' flag being used in the ring by fighters throughout any event.
Fans were left bemused by the action of the official, with one commenting: "It’s a dumb policy when they are putting the fighter’s flag next to their names during fight walk outs and introductions." Another added: "UFC is cringe. Trying to get mainstream respect with Disney is just making people hate the company more."
One fan dismissed the action: "This isn’t a big deal lol. It’s UFC policy. No flags anymore." A further fan continued to voice their displeasure: "Disgusting. let the Leech live man." The UFC issued the ban shortly after Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine.
Do you think UFC fighters should be banned from wearing their native flag in the octagon? Let us know in the comments section below!
The likes of Conor McGregor and Max Holloway have frequently been seen celebrating UFC victories with their native flag prior to the ban coming into force. A whole host of UFC fighters have addressed the ban, including Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera and Randy Brown. Jingliang had already stated prior to his upset victory that the event meant a great deal for fans back in China.
“Muslim has been a big name in China and has beaten so many Chinese legendary panda fighters,” Jingliang said prior to the fight, via an interpreter. “He basically owns all the Sanda awards, especially the 2008 Sanda exhibition fight. So the media has been broadcasting our fight in China because it’s very big in China, me vs. Muslim.”
