Idris Abdurashidov is an undefeated mixed martial artist. But when things weren’t going his way in his pro boxing debut — he was losing the bout and seemed frustrated by the fouls he was receiving himself — the 21-year-old fighter from Russia turned back to what he does best.

He kicked his opponent. In the head. Knocking him out cold. A desperate, dumb, dirty move.

The fight was with Bagher Faraji, an Iranian boxer who came in with a pro record of 2-0 (2 KOs). It took place Sunday in Phuket, Thailand. The bout was wild and ugly well before the idiotic incident, with wild flailing and clinching and one toss to the ground from Abdurashidov in the first round, plus an attempted spinning backfist, according to a full video of the match. 

Faraji briefly had Abdurashidov in a loose headlock twice in the second round and thrice more in the third, though that foul move is something that at least happens on occasion in boxing. Later in the third, the referee warned Abdurashidov for raising his left knee as Faraji approached with two punches.

Faraji appeared to be winning the fight as it entered the fourth and final round. That result seemed even more certain when some tussling between the two men led to the referee docking a point from Abdurashidov. The referee soon incorrectly ruled a knockdown after Faraji shoved Abdurashidov downward, his gloves touching the canvas. At another point, Faraji appeared to hit Abdurashidov with a left hand below the belt. The referee called time for Abdurashidov to recover.

And when the fight seemed as if it couldn’t get any filthier, Faraji threw a left hand, curled his right arm around Abdurashidov and spun him face first into the ropes. Immediately afterward, Abdurashidov threw a lead left kick that struck Faraji flush in the head. Faraji collapsed to the canvas. Abdurashidov gave a spiteful look as he walked away, the referee waving his arm and guiding Abdurashidov away from his fallen opponent.’

One person could be seen in the bleachers, standing and clapping. 

Faraji’s team and several other people angrily approached Abdurashidov’s corner. Abdurashidov had already ducked between the ropes and out of the ring.

Calm prevailed. Faraji by then was awake and back on his feet. 

Faraji is now 3-0 (2 KOs). Abdurashidov is now 0-1 as a boxer and remains 4-0 (4 KOs) in MMA. His last MMA bout was in September with One Championship in Bangkok.

Abdurashidov was suspended indefinitely, according to Grey Johnson of BoxRec.

Faraji’s “manager is a prominent figure in Thailand,” according to journalist Wasim Mather. “Think they will be filing a report with the sports authority of Thailand. This is an embarrassment to boxing in Thailand.”

David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2 and @UnitedBoxingPod. He is the co-host of the United Boxing Podcast. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.