A mixed-rules fight went horribly wrong when a referee stood by and allowed a fighter to remain in a choke hold for far too long.
The bout in question was between Cambodian fighter Namthieu Kun Khmer and Myanmar boxer Joe Phyu at a Mas Fight event at Town Arena in Cambodia on Sunday, May 18. During the contest, Namthieu grabbed Phyu in a standing rear-naked choke and proceeded to render his opponent unconscious. Unfortunately, referee Long Vibol failed to step in in a timely fashion, allowing Namthieu to unnecessarily choke his opponent further.
By the time Vibol called for the stoppage, Phyu was completely out and was allowed to fall to the mat, bashing his head on the canvas.