Vinc Pichel knew Rustam Khabilov was a Combat Sambo World Champion coming into their lightweight bout the preliminary card of “The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale” on Saturday at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Safe to say, Pichel didn’t expect to be rendered unconscious after some textbook suplexes.
In the UFC debut for both fighters, Khabilov was able to secure Pichel’s back and deliver three overhead suplexes — the third planting Pichel on his head to leave him dazed. Khabilov followed with a series of punches to the defenseless Pichel before the fight was stopped at 2:14 of the first round.
Afterward, Khabilov (15-1) described the suplex as an “elementary sambo technique.” And then there was this tweet today:
My job is to throw him , how he lands is his business
— Rustam Khabilov (@KhabilovMMA) December 17, 2012
Pichel, a Sherman Oaks resident fighting out of Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy in Valencia, suffered his first loss in eight pro fights. He was philosophical and displayed a sense of humor afterward:
Just want 2 let every1 know I’m ok besides my toe hurting, thanks for the support and ill be back stronger than ever #LifeLessonsOfAFighter
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) December 16, 2012
@stormlandband my heads fine it’s my foot that hurts, all that landing on my head really got to it Hahahaha
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) December 17, 2012
