Joe Schilling’s MMA return at PFL Brussels ended abruptly when he refused to continue following a foul, resulting in a first-round TKO loss to Donegi Abena at ING Arena.
The bout was stopped just 37 seconds into Round 1 after Abena committed a head butt foul on the ground. Referee Mike Beltran deducted one point from Abena, but when Schilling declined to fight on, the contest was ruled a TKO in Abena’s favor.
Mohegan Tribe director of athletic regulation Mike Mazzulli, who served as a lead regulator for the event, defended Beltran’s handling of the foul. “That head butt did not adversely effect that round,” Mazzulli said, adding, “So that's why Beltran took one point instead of two and why he didn't DQ him. ... Mike took one point – rightfully so.”
Detailing the restart, Mazzulli said, “Beltran asked Mr. Schilling where he wanted to start it,” and continued, “... That's when he put him back down in that position, and you can see those guys fighting with their hands. They are both trying to get leverage. Then Abena postures up, and that's when Schilling loses his mind. At no point did Mike Beltran say 'fight.' He was trying to get back down chest to chest.”
Afterward, Schilling reflected on the moment, calling it “One of the coolest moments of my life,” and later adding, “Everything else is just noise. I know exactly who I am and so does my family. Most of you talking shit couldnt hold my jock strap. My opponent also now exactly who he is and that’s on him. God Bless.”
Both Schilling and Abena are former GLORY Kickboxing champions.
