Elite wrestler Pat Downey has been banned from IBJJF competition for a period of five years.
Downey had made his promotional debut at the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship 2024, marking his first event competing as a blue belt.
He then defeated every opponent on his way to the final. There, he faced Checkmat’s Shamil Murtazaliev – Downey caught him in a Head & Arm Choke and put him to sleep.
However, things took an unexpected turn when Murtazaliev’s corner began shouting at Downey, and he responded with gestures mocking the fact that he had just put their teammate to sleep.
Murtazaliev then charged at Downey, leading to a physical altercation between the two, with multiple staff members intervening to break up the fight.
As a result, both competitors were disqualified, and Downey did not receive the blue belt world title that he had won on the mats.
Downey later announced that he had no plans to compete at IBJJF events again after the experience.
And now, with the promotion handing down a five-year ban, it appears they have taken a firm stance against him.
Downey shared the news about the ban via social media:
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