Akira Corassani tweets xray of shattered nose

On Saturday night’s TUF 18 undercard, Maximo Blanco was disqualified by referee Mario Yamasaki for intentionally kneeing a downed Akira Corassani in the face after just 25 seconds of action. As Blanco was dominating the 25 seconds, some fans thought Corassani exagerated the effects of the knee in order to get the win.

Blanco, oblivious to what was going on, celebrated with a back flip.

Corassani detailed what happened in a post fight interviews.

It feels like someone flushed blood through my nose, said Corassani. It’s definitely broken. He likes to knee guys on their way up, so I was protecting my body, my ribs and wasn’t expecting it to my head.”

He has done this before; this is not the first time. He does this all the time. He did the same thing to Pat Healy. Pat Healy had him in a heel hook one time and he started stomping him in Strikeforce which is illegal. I understand, he trains and lives in Japan, he does a lot of fights in Japan where you can stomp and kick to the head, maybe he doesn’t understand? (No) he understands the rules. Maybe there’s something in his head. I don’t know.

Any questions about the severity of the knee were put to rest when Corassani posted on Instagram.

akiracorassani • Broke my nose in 5 places which was not as bad as the concussion from the knee. The dizziness got worse gradually and I was rocked as hell. Truthfully I dont remember much but this was not the way I wanted to win, I was more than ready for this fight and due to a stupid move the fight was ruined. Thanks for all your support and I’ll be back soon!

Blanco explained afterwards that he did not speak English, and did not understand that the referee said. It was only when his manager entered the ring and explained it that he understood.

“I remember landing two or three punches, and took him down,” Blanco told FOX Sports. “Then, I think I thought about throwing a left kick to the leg for a moment, but stopped, then, just a moment later, when I thought Akira was up, I unleashed a knee instead. I was only thinking about finishing the fight early.”

No more back flip for me. Unless I am told okay by my manager after the fight…I am shamed about that back flip.

“At that point, I honestly didn’t realize the knee I threw was illegal. I actually didn’t know why the fight was stopped. I don’t understand English so I didn’t really quite understand what referee told me at the neutral corner. I am not making any excuse here but when adrenaline is pumping its hard to understand the language I am not familiar with,” Blanco said. “So when he waved off the fight, I actually thought I won by a doctor stoppage. Then, my manager came to me told me I am disqualified.”

“No more back flip for me. Unless I am told okay by my manager after the fight. I promised this to Sean Shelby as well. I am shamed about that back flip.”

“I felt shamed. So I went over to apologize to Akira, and he asked me ‘What happened?’ in Spanish and I could only say, I am sorry, that knee wasn’t unintentional but it was illegal so I am the one who needs to take the blame here.”

“I actually wanted to apologize to Akira again in the dressing room but by the time I went over to his dressing room he was gone. So I would like to say here again, Akira, I am very sorry about what happened. The only thing I can say is I am very sorry. The fans, UFC, Akira, and everyone, they all deserve better. I will promise that this will never ever happen again.”

The episode ended with positive news.

Akira Corassani @AkiraCorassani

Very thankful that @ufc @danawhite sends us to the best doctors out there! Feeling way better