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Joe Schilling’s first MMA fight since 2019 ended in controversy. | PFL MMA
Joe Schilling’s first mixed martial arts appearance in more than six years ended in unusual fashion at PFL Brussels.
Schilling was on his back during a light heavyweight matchup against Donegi Abena when his opponent headbutted him while inside guard. “Stitch ‘Em Up” was visibly angry as the bout was halted due to the foul. The fight appeared ready to resume after referee Mike Beltran took a point from Abena, but Schilling decided to call it quits when the fighters were repositioned on the canvas. As a result, Schilling suffered a technical knockout loss due to retirement at the 36-second mark of Round 1.
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😱 C’EST DU JAMAIS VU !
Joe Schilling met fin au combat après avoir pris un coup de tête de son adversaire, parce qu’il n’est pas d’accord avec la position pour reprendre l’action ! pic.twitter.com/hggZdvQlsU
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) May 23, 2026
‘One of the Coolest Moments of My Life’
The former Glory Kickboxing standout reacted to the incident in a post on Instagram.
“One of the coolest moments of my life,” Schilling wrote. “Everything else is just noise. I know exactly who I am and so does my family. Most of you talking s—t couldn’t hold my jock strap. My opponent also [knows] exactly who he is and that’s on him. God Bless.”
Schilling hadn’t competed in MMA since Oct. 4, 2019, when he suffered a 36-second TKO defeat to Tony Johnson at Bellator 229. The 42-year-old Californian is 4-7 in MMA overall, with his most notable victory coming via second-round KO over Melvin Manhoef in November 2014.
The fight was Abena’s pro MMA debut.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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