A new fastest knockout record was set at Cage Warriors 186, but it was mired with controversy.
During Friday’s event in London, Yannick Bahati knocked out Charles Joyner in four seconds, a new record for the promotion. While the knockout was impressive and led to a massive reaction from the crowd, a closer look shows two things—including one rule violation—that rubbed people the wrong way: A glove touch that never was, and the grabbing of the opponent’s glove after the fact before the knockout blow landed.
Veteran MMA fighter Tom Lawlor weighed in on the situation after watching the clip — which you can see below.
Yannick Bahati ASKED for the glove touch, then held his opponents hands and rifled off a crushing right hand to get the 4 second KO
Totally within the rules. Totally a chump move. https://t.co/ExRKapy1Qw
— “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) March 21, 2025
“Yannick Bahati asked for the glove touch, then held his opponents hands and rifled off a crushing right hand to get the 4 second KO,” Lawlor wrote.
“Totally within the rules. Totally a chump move.”
Bahati has seen the criticism hurled in his direction since getting his first Cage Warriors victory, and first win in almost five years, and responded on his Instagram page.
“There was no glove or fake glove touch on my part, only hard work,” Bahati wrote. “I asked but he didn’t respond so I went straight to my game plan. I was locked in, focused and nothing was getting in my way to passing that message to [my two] sons.”
Bahati and Joyner previously fought in November to a split draw via technical decision at Cage Warriors 181.
