Former Bellator fighter Pat Downey isn’t happy with IBJJF for handing him a five-year suspension after a viral brawl at a recent event.
Pat Downey‘s post-MMA career in submission grappling came to an abrupt halt after a wild brawl between himself and another competitor at the 2024 IBJJF World NoGi Championships. After the incident, IBJJF handed Downey a five-year suspension for his role in the altercation.
Downey and Shamil Murtazaliev met in the finals of the tournament in a highly-anticipated matchup between two former MMA standouts. Murtazaliev fought in MMA twice in 2024, losing both fights by submission.
At the end of their roll, Downey and Murtazaliev got into a heated verbal altercation that quickly turned physical on the mats. You can watch the whole incident in a clip below.
After IBJJF handed Downey a severe punishment for his role in the brawl, it didn’t take long for the former collegiate wrestling star to address it on social media.
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Photo by Matt Davies/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesPat Downey handed shocking five-year suspension after IBJJF brawlIn a recent Instagram post, Downey reacted to the five-year suspension.
“Softer than baby s—,” Downey posted. “IBJJF goofy wet chicken nuggett promotion tryna fire someone who been quit!!”
It’s uncertain if Downey’s punishment is appealable and if Downey plans to return to IBJJF after the suspension. But judging by his social media statement, it’s unlikely Downey will return to the IBJJF mats once his suspension ends.
Downey is 1-1 in MMA, winning his professional debut over Keyes Nelson by first-round submission at Bellator 284. He lost to Christian Echols by first-round knockout at Bellator 289 and hasn’t fought since.
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Downey notched a 17-4 NCAA wrestling record during stints at Iowa Central Community College and Iowa State University. He won a gold medal at the 2019 United States National Championships in freestyle wrestling.
Murtazaliev hasn’t issued a public statement, as of this writing, on Downey’s suspension from IBJJF.
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