Managers’ Confrontation at PFL 7

Two of the most well-known managers in MMA were involved in an altercation with battery at last night’s PFL playoff event at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Abe Kawa, the vice president of First Round Management, claims that Ali Abdelaziz, CEO of Dominance MMA, approached and slapped him during the event. The two were separated by security before the Las Vegas Metro Police Department was brought in to help handle the situation.

iPhone 11 Pro Max quality @bokamotoESPN @arielhelwani @MMAjunkieJohn pic.twitter.com/p9fKTprQIz

— Ryan (@RyanLF___) October 12, 2019

“LVMPD officers were on scene and temporarily detained one of the subjects during the investigation,” a police spokesperson told ESPN in a statement. “That subject was cooperative. He was issued a citation and released. No enforcement action was taken regarding the second subject, who was also cooperative. There were no significant injuries.”

Kawa alleges that Abdelaziz told him they needed to talk before slapping him across the face. Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, one of Kawa’s clients who was present with him at the event, says Abdelaziz took off not long after the slap.

On his social media, Kawa responded to tweets on the situation and thanked fighters from Abdelaziz’s stable who supposedly reached out to him.

Nah man. I wish him nothing but the best and hope he finds peace. Seems like he is addicted to turmoil and he probably feels the walls closing in on him. When you are a user it typically alters your mind does I doubt he was always this bad….wait nvm 🤦🏻‍♂️ https://t.co/sHM9f0CBLK

— Ibrahim Kawa (@Abraham_kawa) October 12, 2019

Loved all the fighters that reached out to me from Ali’s stable. I know you guys aren’t the prob and I understand the situation you guys are in. Having to pay back a loan like an indentured servant sucks. Stay strong and be safe fellas ✊🏼

— Ibrahim Kawa (@Abraham_kawa) October 12, 2019

Also, all the people I do business with on a daily. Appreciate you guys reaching out and concerns.

— Ibrahim Kawa (@Abraham_kawa) October 12, 2019

Malki Kawa, CEO of First Round and Abe’s brother, published his own thoughts on Abdelaziz on social media.

One day (really soon) I’ll tell you guys the truth about my “altercations” with that rat. But so we’re clear, he never ko’d me, never dazed me, never did anything but throw a sucker punch and then I got grabbed

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) October 12, 2019

Second altercation ended up with me soccer kicking him in the head l. he threw a kick I caught, and Forrest came to break it up. He hit the ground, I kicked his head.

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) October 12, 2019

But like I said, I’ll give all the details later. So we’re clear, any friend of his is an enemy of mine. We can fight all day, but coming at anyone in my family and you cross the line.

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) October 12, 2019

Any friend of his (that goes for promoters, matchmakers, journalist, even his own fighters) are enemies of mine. Ive taken the professional route way too long.

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) October 12, 2019

Representatives from the PFL claim that they let security and police handle the situation while they focused on in-cage matters.

First Round Management represents the likes of Jon Jones, Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley and more, while Dominance MMA represents Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, among others.

Original Story: ESPN