icon bookmark-bicon bookmarkicon cameraicon checkicon chevron downicon chevron lefticon chevron righticon chevron upicon closeicon v-compressicon downloadicon editicon v-expandicon fbicon fileicon filtericon flag ruicon full chevron downicon full chevron lefticon full chevron righticon full chevron upicon gpicon insicon mailicon moveicon-musicicon mutedicon nomutedicon okicon v-pauseicon v-playicon searchicon shareicon sign inicon sign upicon stepbackicon stepforicon swipe downicon tagicon tagsicon tgicon trashicon twicon vkicon yticon wticon fm
15 Apr, 2020 19:56

Real life Mortal Kombat: MMA event in Belarus features officials and ring girls wear BLACK MASKS during COVID-19 crisis (VIDEO)

Real life Mortal Kombat: MMA event in Belarus features officials and ring girls wear BLACK MASKS during COVID-19 crisis (VIDEO)

Russian MMA promotion M-1 Global defied the global COVID-19 pandemic by hosting a live MMA event in Minsk, Belarus on Wednesday.

According to the promotion's official Instagram channel, the behind-closed-doors event, named "Heroes of the Black Square" was to be run "under the most stringent conditions as determined by trained medical doctors," with "all fighters and participants tested and monitored for COVID-19 by trained medical professionals."

Also on rt.com Georges St-Pierre: Khabib fight fell apart because UFC 'didn't want to take the risk' of former champ winning the title

The event's name may have been a reference to the black face masks worn by everyone in the arena, with the notable exception of the two competing fighters inside the ring.

The ring announcer undertook his duties from behind a mask and the official timekeeper minded the bell while wearing a similar mask. The medics and cornermen at ringside were also bedecked in the same facial coverings. Even the ring girls were wearing them.

RT
RT
RT

The event featured eight fights, and was streamed live across the world on the ClashTV app, as well as on TV networks in Russia as the Belarusian capital played host to the only live MMA in the world this week.

In the main event, Belarusian middleweight Denis Maher claimed a first-round submission victory as he finished Valijon Serdarov inside two minutes with a front choke.

The co-main saw an equally impressive finish, as Vladislav Novitzky defeated Maxim Rzheusky via first-round armbar.

But despite the impressive displays inside the ring, the bizarre setting, and the use of the striking face masks, led to reaction online from those following the action.

"We are living in an exceptionally weird time," wrote one commenter on Twitter, while another stated, "The masks are pretty hilarious."

One fan even described the scene as being akin to a "Real life Mortal Kombat."

The promotion plans to host more shows this week as they continue to press forward with their schedule amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

Also on rt.com Hot work: Bellator starlet Valerie Loureda works up a sweat as she shadowboxes on her Miami balcony (VIDEO)
Podcasts
0:00
23:13
0:00
25:0