(Editor’s note: Story updated at 2:50 a.m. ET with statement from police.)
LAS VEGAS – Ali Abdelaziz and Abe Kawa were involved in a backstage incident Friday night at PFL 2019, Playoffs 1.
Multiple eyewitnesses, who asked to remain anonymous, told MMA Junkie that a physical incident occurred between the two notable MMA managers. Meanwhile, PFL officials confirmed there was an incident backstage at Mandalay Bay Events Center, but they could not offer further details, including names of the parties involved.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have any details on what happened,” PFL EVP of business affairs and general counsel Jim Bramson told MMA Junkie. “We were obviously focused on the action that was going on inside the cage. It was kind of a riveting evening.
“We are aware that there was an incident that occurred. They went and checked it out. The Metropolitan police and the hotel security were handling the situation, and we will be following up with them to get more details later.”
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provided the following statement to MMA Junkie.
“Two subjects were involved in a brief physical altercation where a battery was committed.
“LVMPD officers were on scene and temporarily detained one of subjects during the investigation. 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.”
Both Abdelaziz, the CEO of Dominance MMA, and Kawa, vice president of First Round Management, declined comment when contacted by MMA Junkie.
