A few weeks after a year-end break, the UFC returned with exciting matchups. UFC Vegas 101, headlined by Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas, kicked off the promotion’s 2025 season. The event featured a variety of intriguing fights, one of which caused quite a stir in the community. Viktoriia Dudakova found herself in a controversial moment with one of her coaches.
Russian fighter Viktoriia Dudakova faced a tough setback on Saturday night. As such, Dudakova suffered defeat against Fatima Kline via TKO in the second round. The defeat evidently took an emotional toll on Viktoriia Dudakova, as she was seen slapping one of her coaches in a moment of frustration immediately following the fight.
Over the years, the UFC community has seen various controversial incidents involving fighters and coaches, but nothing quite like this! The UFC cameras captured a tense moment when Dudakova’s cornerman tried to offer her comfort, but she dismissed him with a shrug. In a surprising display of frustration, she slapped him and spoke animatedly in Russian.
Dudakova slapped one of her coaches after her TKO loss 😳 #UFCvegas101 pic.twitter.com/tHAWplKAfL
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) January 11, 2025
While another team member attended to her wounds, the reasons for her outburst remained unclear. Dudakova faced a tough challenge against Fatima Kline in a grueling match. Kline showcased her strong grappling skills by executing two early takedowns. However, the Russian fighter demonstrated resilience by reversing positions.
As the second round progressed, Kline maintained her dominance with two additional takedowns, reminiscent of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s control during his peak UFC career. Dudakova struggled to find her rhythm, landing only one significant strike in the nearly ten-minute contest before ultimately succumbing to Kline’s relentless ground and pound.
Fight fans react to Viktoriia Dudakova’s disrespectful action towards her coach
Viktoriia Dudakova is a rising prospect who made her way into the UFC through the Dana White Contender Series. Over the years, the DWCS has produced many promising superstars. Like many others, Dudakova began her UFC career with two consecutive victories. However, she is currently experiencing a difficult period, having lost her last two fights in a row.
Viktoriia Dudakova and Fatima Kline in action (Image via UFC News)The moment of outburst where Dudakova slapped one of her coaches after her recent defeat caused a stir in the UFC community. As a result, the fight fans and netizens were quick to share their reactions to the controversial moment. Check out some of the reactions below.
He should’ve punched her back for being a bum
— daig (@perhapsnotdaig) January 11, 2025
What a bad look.
— BetOnline (@BetOnline_ag) January 11, 2025
Nice to see her get a significant strike at least.
— Brax Moore (@brax_moore_more) January 11, 2025
Reminds me of Dana White and his wife in the club🤣
— Knockout of the day (@KOofTheDAY) January 11, 2025
I never saw this before
— Mike Sharpe ~ Creator of “Tanks!” on Amazon (@Mike_Sharpe_) January 12, 2025
The disrespect to slap the coach who spent a whole camp training you is out of control
— ₿ig Chappy Sats (@DonSatoshi3) January 11, 2025
What a loser.
— Joel Hemingway 🇺🇸🍊 (@JoelTHemingway) January 11, 2025
Anyone know what they were saying to each other? Seemed like she was unhappy with the corner advice..
— RawryMacDeezNutz (@RoryMacDeezNutz) January 11, 2025
Power slap activities nothing to see here
— Nicks0wnMMA17 🥽 (@NickS0wn17) January 11, 2025
Why would she even do that. Disrespect
— Electric Brawl (@3lectricBrawl) January 11, 2025
I understand she is upset, but that is not a good look for her.
— CT Patriot (@CTPatriot08) January 11, 2025
Poorly trained fighter
— Marcus (@ziademarcus) January 12, 2025
Many fight fans were taken aback when a fighter slapped one of her coaches. As a result, netizens criticized Dudakova for showing disrespect to someone who had dedicated months to training her. Additionally, some fans mocked the Russian fighter for managing to land at least one significant strike during UFC Vegas 101.
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