Struggling UFC star's epic Twitter rant
A beaten UFC star has had salt rubbed into his considerable wounds by a horde of angry fans on social media.
Oluwale Bamgbose, a middleweight fighter from Nigeria, was convincingly defeated by Italian Alessio Di Chirico at UFC Fight Night Winnipeg on Sunday (AEDT).
Carrying a niggling injury, and out of form after two-straight losses, Bamgbose had a defensive gameplan that backfired badly as Di Chirico dominated him before knocking him out with a knee to the head.
But the real pain came later for the 30-year-old, who was booed after his loss and then taken to on Twitter by angry fans criticising his tactics.
Even his opponent alluded to Bamgbose's lack of aggression after the fight.
“I wouldn’t call it even a fight until we engaged,” Di Chirico said.
Some of the more tame criticism focused on Bamgbose's decision to not throw many strikes during the bout.
MOAR LIEK OLUWALE 'THE HOLY SNORE ANGEL' BAMGBOSE
— Paul Ryan: 720 St. Lawrence Ave., Janesville, WI (@SoozieCuzie) December 16, 2017
So it looks like Bamgbose has went from an overly-offensive fighter to an overly-defensive fighter (at least in round 1)#UFCWinnipeg
— Carl S (@NightMMA) December 16, 2017
Interesting strategy by Bamgbose to waste his cardio with movement instead of strikes in the 1st round #UFCWinnipeg
— Tony Fagnano (@BigToneMMA) December 16, 2017
Bamgbose is such an innovative fighter. Constantly finding new, more efficient ways to gas. #UFCWinnipeg
— ramenchokehold.com (@RamenChokehold) December 16, 2017
But unlike most athletes around the world, the Nigerian refused to take the criticism lying down, defending himself against the hate on Twitter.
Some mma fans are some of the worst human beings alive & I would rather die than compete for their entertainment. I want to compete @ my best for respectful & loyal fans. Who are true to martial arts. Not scumbag fans who enjoy our pain but boo strategy. U forget we get paid SHIT
— Oluwale♚Bamgbose🇳🇬 (@HolyWarAngelMMA) December 19, 2017
100%! I wish half of them would consider competing in mma one day. Maybe then they would have more respect for what we do and put ourselves through. https://t.co/Cu7xv9dPFi
— Oluwale♚Bamgbose🇳🇬 (@HolyWarAngelMMA) December 19, 2017
Aviod re-injurying an injury I sustained. Take small damage. Stick &move & a KO will come. Not pulling the trigger caused me to get crushed & thats my fault. But when your heart is not into it what are you gonna do? When your not happy doing what u thought u loved, what do u do?
— Oluwale♚Bamgbose🇳🇬 (@HolyWarAngelMMA) December 19, 2017
Fighting is an art and just like any art it shouldn't be rushed. Besides fans cant fault me for trying to fight a smart fight especially when I have been in wars before.
— Oluwale♚Bamgbose🇳🇬 (@HolyWarAngelMMA) December 19, 2017
Fellow UFC fighter Derek Brunson then threw his support behind the shaken Bamgbose, with the subtle suggestion to not pay attention to what the haters have to say.
All good bro. Thick skin, I stopped reading into media & hecklers years ago . Blessings 🙏
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 19, 2017
🙏Thanks 4the advice Derek. The night of my fight is what got me. Being boo'd or rushed to kill or die was hard to take in. When I got up not 1 clap of he's ok. There should be a code of conduct fans follow just out of respect for what we put ourselves through 2fight in that cage https://t.co/d56TW1reTH
— Oluwale♚Bamgbose🇳🇬 (@HolyWarAngelMMA) December 19, 2017
U have no idea what I have sacrificed &what I had to risk for fans enjoyment. I go all out gasing out& losing& I get bashed. I come back patient bc of other ufc fighters my weight I trained with &I get bashed &rushed. Fans should always know im their to timely excite no matter
— Oluwale♚Bamgbose🇳🇬 (@HolyWarAngelMMA) December 19, 2017
🙏 Gambling ones life isnt fun but when ur on the winning side its worth it. When ur losing side, a sense of hopelessness sets in. I think most mma fans are respectful for the most part but all need to know we literally risk our lives in there& u cant rush or boo anyone in there! https://t.co/K2PxY4qsTZ
— Oluwale♚Bamgbose🇳🇬 (@HolyWarAngelMMA) December 19, 2017