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OH NO! Careless referee blows MMA fighter’s knee out while sliding in for knockout stoppage | Video
Screenshot 2026-10-23 110459

Dan Hiergesell is an expert voice who serves as MMAmania.com’s weekend editor, covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for more than 15 years, getting featured on programs such as Countdown to UFC and SiriusXM Fight Club, among others.

Mixed martial artists have endured some gnarly injuries throughout the years, but it’s rare that a fighter is left reeling in pain from something a referee does.

Unfortunately for one unlucky fighter, that’s exactly what happened during Friday’s Top FC 24 event in Seoul, South Korea. The incident occurred during an undercard matchup between inexperienced lightweights Kim Ji Yeong and Kim Jun Woo. Neither fighter had a long resume coming into this week so this was their chance to step up and prove they have what it takes to succeed in MMA.

Yeong, who entered the cage with a 0-1 record, came through with an incredible finish in the second round. He unloaded a crisp left hand to the body in the clinch along the cage and folded Woo where he stood. Woo quickly covered up and couldn’t continue, which prompted the referee to react fast and slide in for the knockout stoppage. This is where things took a turn for the worse.

As the referee stepped in for the stoppage Yeong’s leg got caught underneath him and Yeong appeared to completely blow his knee out. Yeong was screaming in pain and clearly shocked by what had just happened, despite earning a huge victory in front of his home crowd. The referee did check on Yeong moments later, but it was still a horrible accident that left the winning fighter badly injured.

Check it out below and let us know if the referee should be blamed for this freak accident!