Video: Pat Downey brawls, gets disqualified at No-Gi Worlds
Elite wrestler and CJI veteran Pat Downey got into an altercation following his final match at the 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds.
Decorated wrestler and MMA veteran Pat Downey turned in five dominant performances at the 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, conceding no points en route to what was initially a gold medal performance in the adult blue belt super-heavyweight division.
In his finals match against Checkmat representative Shamil Murtazaliev, Downey choked his foe unconscious before proceeding to celebrate his victory. When Murtazaliev came to his feet, both grapplers looked to exchange words before engaging in a melee, forcing IBJJF officials to rush onto the mat to break up the athletes.
As a result, both Downey and Murtazaliev were disqualified, and neither received a medal. Downey was subsequently promoted to purple belt.
Watch footage of the altercation below.
Downey posted his thoughts about what transpired on Instagram. He vowed never to compete in IBJJF competition again.
Downey said:
“He’s a very sore loser. I take accountability for my actions. I apologize to Fight Sports. I shouldn’t have made that gesture. I got caught up in the moment. He had all them Russians saying s*** to me and I just… I don’t like people who are not humble in defeat.”
A U.S. National and Junior College National wrestling champion, Downey owns a 1-1 professional MMA record and has recently been making waves in the world of submission grappling. In 2020, he faced multiple-time ADCC champion Gordon Ryan in a hybrid wrestling and BJJ match, dominating the wrestling portion before losing by submission in the BJJ portion.
Earlier this year, Downey competed in the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational. He scored an upset victory over former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in the tournament’s opening round before dropping a split decision against Adam Bradley in the quarterfinals.
Downey is slated to face UFC veteran and fellow standout wrestler Deron Winn in a no-gi match in March 2025 at Spokane Submission Series 4.
