Chinese fighter mocks Korean over plea for sportsmanship
Choi Hong-man, left, and Aorigele / Screen capture from YouTube
By Ko Dong-hwan
China’s mixed martial artist Aorigele angered Korea’s Choi Hong-man by mocking his request for sportsmanship and fair tactics.
The two held a press conference at the Hotel Inter-Burgo in Wonju, Gangwon Province, in the lead-up to their fight at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing on Apr. 16.
Choi, 35, criticized the Chinese, 21, for his behavior in his match against Korea’s Kim Jae-hun last December. There, Aorigele knocked down Kim and continued to pound him. When the referee stepped in to stop the fight, the Chinese kept pounding Kim, which instantly brought aides from both sides inside the octagon.
At the press conference, Choi asked Aorigele to apologize publicly for his behavior at the December fight.
The Chinese repeatedly said he had already apologized to Kim, but Aorigele’s dubious attitude angered Choi.
However, at the end of the conference, the two posed together for photographers. In an attempt to ease the tension, Choi, towering 217 centimeters, cupped Aorigele’s head with two hands, saying, “Let’s have a good match.”
But the Chinese mocked Choi by dancing and smiling.
Choi, losing his temper, slammed down a table and charged at the Chinese, with staff struggling to restrain the Korean.