Ilimbek Akylbek wins TUF 34 after Osmanli disqualification

The bantamweight final of The Ultimate Fighter 34 at UFC Vegas 121 ended in controversy when Mehemmedeli Osmanli was disqualified for an illegal knee strike. The incident occurred 2:19 into the first round when Osmanli landed a knee to the face of Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu while Akylbek was grounded on the canvas.

Following the strike, Akylbek appeared dazed and was attended to by medical staff, leading the referee to wave off the bout and award Akylbek the victory. The decision has sparked debate among fans and the fighters themselves. Osmanli accused Akylbek of faking the severity of the injury, stating in an Instagram Live broadcast, “He fake. First he take my leg. Then when referee stop, he put on show.”

While slow-motion footage shows Akylbek grappling with Osmanli's leg immediately before the stoppage, observers noted that fighters often attempt reflexive grappling when stunned. Regardless of the claims of exaggeration, the knee strike was a violation of the unified rules protecting grounded opponents. Akylbek leaves the tournament as the official TUF 34 winner.