{"id":176101,"date":"2025-09-28T20:22:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T20:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/176101\/"},"modified":"2025-09-28T20:22:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T20:22:07","slug":"mma-fighter-breaks-silence-following-bizarre-instant-tap-out-that-was-conscious-rebellion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/176101\/","title":{"rendered":"MMA Fighter Breaks Silence Following Bizarre Instant Tap-Out: ‘That Was Conscious Rebellion’"},"content":{"rendered":"

MMA fighter Marcin Szoltysik is shedding some light on his infamous insta-tap over the weekend.<\/p>\n

While most MMA fans had their eyes on UFC Perth<\/a> and the PFL\u2019s back-to-back events overseas, Babilon MMA 54 offered up an eight-fight card in Poland that was set to feature a heavyweight scrap between Jacek Kujtowski and Marcin Szoltysik. <\/p>\n

Just as the fight began, Szoltysik kneeled on the canvas and tapped out, causing widespread confusion throughout the venue and on social media. <\/p>\n

Speculation immediately ran rampant online, with some believing it was nothing more than cowardice. However, Szoltysik attempted to offer some insight into the controversial decision. <\/p>\n

\u201cI went into the octagon and immediately submitted,\u201d Szoltysik\u2019s message read (via\u00a0international MMA expert Matysek).<\/a>\u00a0\u201cIt wasn\u2019t weakness, that was conscious rebellion. It was rebellion against the liars and manipulators who claim to be my team, but in reality, treat their fighters as tools for their own gain.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the beginning, they deliberately didn\u2019t support my preparations \u2014 they wanted me to be unprepared and easily replaceable. They don\u2019t care about sport, passion, or dedication \u2014 only about money and connections. They tried to turn me into \u2018cannon fodder,\u2019 just like they\u2019d done with others before. I won\u2019t let that happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cOpponent has nothing to do with this, I have every respect for him. I apologized to him personally in the Octagon<\/a>, because that\u2019s how you should treat a true warrior. I also apologize to the fans \u2014 my heart breaks, and tears come to my eyes, but I couldn\u2019t do otherwise. Dignity and honor are above all else.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was my cry of protest against the lies, manipulation, and exploitation of athletes. I will not be sold. Enough is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Szoltysik isn\u2019t the first athlete to believe their team set them up to fail. Lower-tier gyms often agree to supply a specific number of fighters to fill positions at an event. Less ethical gyms may do this by using underprepared students who stand little chance against more experienced opponents. <\/p>\n

However, it is uncommon for the \u2018cannon fodder\u2019 to reach the cage before choosing not to proceed with the fight.<\/p>\n

Clearly, this was not one of those cases. <\/p>\n

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