MMA star Ali Heibati has been banned from the Hardcore Fighting Championship for life.

The Iranian fighter was involved in several controversial incidents before and after his main event bout against Arkady Osipyan at Hardcore MMA 90 in Moscow on Friday night.

3

Heibati bizarrely kicked the ring girlCredit: Hardcore Fighting Championship
Before the fight had even got underway, Heibati bizarrely kicked a ring girl as she walked past holding up a card signalling the start of round one.

The woman turned around to confront Heibati and the unlikely rivals exchanged words before the referee stepped in to keep the peace.

After a brief telling off for his behaviour, Heibati was allowed to fight in what proved to be a short contest as Osipyan stopped him with a series of strikes to secure a first-round win by technical knockout.

After his opponent wheeled away to celebrate, Heibati got off the floor and proceeded to hit him with a massive punch to the back of the head.

An ugly multi-person brawl involving several HFC fighters began soon after, and the promotion responded by hitting Heibati and others with lifetime bans.

The lightweight fighter apologised for his actions in an awkward video alongside the ring girl, who was visibly uncomfortable in his presence so soon after being the victim of unwarranted aggression.

It was deemed that he hadn’t done enough to make things right.

“What happened in TODAY’S live broadcast is beyond all moral and ethical standards,” HFC wrote in a statement on its Instagram page.

3

He issued an apology alongside the ring girl, Maria, but it wasn’t enoughCredit: @hardcorefc_mma – instagram
“No one has any right to touch, let alone beat the staff, employees and partners of Hardcore Media.

“Moreover, such marginal behaviour is absolutely unacceptable towards women. Loosening your hands towards ladies is the lowest a man can go to.

“The League decided that in the context of the current situation, the apologies already made by Ali Heibati are absolutely not enough. He will be fined for his fee, and the entire amount will be transferred to ring-girl Maria.
⠀
“Also, all participants of mass backstage fights will be disqualified and removed from appearances in HARDCORE MEDIA promotions.

“At this moment, we are identifying all the names and culprits who have participated in these acts of unsportsmanlike behaviour.
⠀
“Respect yourself, respect each other, respect the code of honour and simple moral values. Respect the behavioural norms of the civilized society you are part of.”