VIDEO | Fighter inexplicably collapses in first round of fight

Late last month, Australia’s Xtreme Fighting Championship (XFC) touched down in sun-soaked Brisbane with their 28th show. The fourth bout of this 13-fight card occurred in the middleweight division, where James Vake took on a fellow Australian in Michael McDaniel. Regrettably, this bout would produce one of the strangest – and initially, most frightening – endings in recent memory.

The first round began with Vake dragging the fight to the mat, where he threatened repeatedly with rear-naked chokes. Eventually, however, McDaniel was able to escape danger and get back to his feet. It was at this point that this fight’s bizarre ending occurred. Though he certainly seemed to be fine, McDaniel suddenly collapsed into an unconscious heap for no apparent reason, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

Luckily, McDaniel was quick to regain his consciousness –though the cause of his strange collapse was not initially apparent.

“All of these fighters, before they come into the cage, they are given full medicals,” the in-cage announcer explained, attempting to console a concerned Brisbane crowd. “They are are checked thoroughly by doctors. So, as you can see, it’s not that the fighter is unfit. He is a very, very fit man indeed. But unfortunately, on this occasion, fight four tonight has been ruled as a no contest.” 

Shortly after the bout, XFC was able to provide an explanation of this grim scene on their official Facebook page. Apparently, McDaniel fainted because his fighting off Vake’s repeated submission attempts had left his brain short on oxygen. They also reassured that McDaniel had returned to good health.

“An unfortunate scene followed, which doctors have diagnosed due to a lack of oxygen to the brain during McDaniels submission escapes,” XFC’s post explained. “XFC is pleased to say that [McDaniel] is fit and healthy, and in the process of getting his medical clearance.”

XFC also explained that the fight had ultimately been ruled a TKO win for Vake, instead of a no contest, as was originally announced.

What do you think of this strange fight ending? Sound off, PENN Nation!