In an unexpected turn of events, the highly anticipated showdown between Khusein Askhabov and Daniel Pineda at UFC Vegas 80 has been abruptly canceled following Askhabov’s reported arrest in Thailand. The UFC veteran found himself in hot water after allegedly being involved in a harrowing case of kidnap, torture, and extortion.
According to reports by The Phuket News, the arrest stemmed from a chilling incident that transpired in Phuket, Thailand. On September 3, an Italian man residing in a villa by the beach fell victim to an alleged home invasion and robbery. The victim claimed that Askhabov, along with his twin brother Khasan Askhabov and an unidentified third individual, invaded his residence.
During the horrifying ordeal, the victim was reportedly bound, gagged, and subjected to a brutal beating while being interrogated for information about his valuables. The assailants made off with items believed to be worth a staggering 12 million Thai baht, roughly equivalent to $337,881. The stolen items included luxury watches, an Apple laptop and phone, the victim’s passport, debit card, and other belongings.
In a twist of fate, the victim managed to escape his captors after several hours of torment, suffering bruises and contusions from the relentless assault. It was later revealed that an anonymous tip-off had led the alleged thieves to the victim and played a pivotal role during the robbery.
A warrant was issued on September 4, identifying Khusein and Khasan Askhabov as two of the three Kazakh nationals implicated in the shocking crime. The Askhabov twins reportedly left Phuket for Dubai on September 4, the day following the alleged attack.
The UFC was quick to respond to the unfolding situation, releasing a statement on their website that read: “UFC is aware of the recent arrest and allegations regarding Khusein Askhabov. The organization will continue to gather additional details regarding the incident. UFC will allow the legal process to play out before making any additional statements; however, his scheduled fight on October 7 has been canceled.”
With Khusein Askhabov’s removal from the UFC Vegas 80 card, fight fans are left in suspense, eagerly awaiting the announcement of Daniel Pineda’s new opponent for the event, which is set to take place on October 7 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
Khusein Askhabov, originally from Kazakhstan, was preparing for his second appearance in the UFC after a debut loss to Jamall Emmers at UFC Vegas 69 in February. As the legal proceedings in Thailand unfold, the mixed martial arts world watches with bated breath, shocked by the unexpected and dark twist in the tale of a promising fighter’s career.
