UFC bantamweight Victor Henry suffered a brutal groin kick that ruled him out of the fight, but he stated that his opponent did not have ill intentions and it was simply a legal strike that hit an illegal spot.
UFC bantamweight fighter Victor Henry shared an update on his condition after enduring a brutal groin kick during his recent bout at UFC 294. Henry clarified that he suffered no permanent damage and is now recovering. He also responded to critics who called for his opponent, Javid Basharat, to be disqualified for the strike that led to his withdrawal from the fight. Henry stated on Instagram that he believed Basharat did not have any ill intentions and threw a legal strike that unfortunately hit an illegal area.
Basharat, however, denied fouling Henry during the fight and insinuated that his opponent had exaggerated the injury and quit. Henry’s coach, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett, defended his fighter in a heated exchange. Furthermore, Henry confronted those who doubted the severity of his injury, including a cageside doctor who claimed that the kick did not land on his groin. Henry strongly disagreed with the doctor’s assessment, as he writhed in pain and was unable to continue after five minutes. The fight was ultimately declared a no-contest.
Following the bout, both fighters faced setbacks. Henry, who had the opportunity to secure consecutive victories after his previous win, now has to regroup. Basharat, on the other hand, saw his three-fight winning streak interrupted. Henry promptly sought medical attention, with UFC CEO Dana White revealing that he was vomiting backstage. Henry’s coach confirmed that an ultrasound was conducted to assess the extent of the injury, emphasizing the severe swelling in the groin area.
Despite the discomfort he experienced, Henry maintained a positive attitude and joked about having to sleep with ice packs on his “smooth criminals.” He acknowledged that he would be walking oddly for a few days but expressed gratitude that the damage was not worse. In his full statement, Henry dismissed the notion of disqualification and reiterated his belief that Basharat’s strike was unintentional, emphasizing that it was simply a consequence of competing in the sport of MMA.