Former Bellator MMA fighter Joe Schilling was seen in a video Monday knocking out another man at a Florida bar.
Schilling, 37, posted footage of the incident to his Instagram account, claiming the incident was an act of “self-defense”, and was “scared for his life” and “simply defending myself against the evil in this world”
In the video posted , Schilling moves the man aside who is standing between a bar and a table, the man then seems to confront Schilling before the MMA fighter quickly punches the man twice in the face, knocking him out and sending him to the floor.
Footage emerged of former GLORY Tournament Champion & Bellator fighter Joe Schilling assaulting a man in a bar dispute. The fighter took it to social media and claims it was self-defense, during a "life-threatening experience". pic.twitter.com/cybXpPJWFT
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) June 28, 2021
Schilling explained his side of the story in an Instagram post:
“I got outside to smoke and as I’m walking back in he bumps into me. I put my hand out to catch him he immediately says I’m sorry you can see me nod my head like look. Then he realizes it’s me the guy he’s been rapping at all night and yells ‘HEY’ I turn around and flexes on me …
“Bad decisions are made everyday. I want back and sat down to finish my drink and pay bill two servers, the bus boy and DJ came up to thank me. As you can see from this video when he flexed on me I was scared for my life and simply defending myself against the evil in this world.”
“7 billion people in this world and you chose me,” Schilling captioned one of several posts about the incident.
“Self defence is apparently not what this country is about anymore,” he wrote.
“Don’t trip I got the video love you guys thanks for the concern and support during my life threatening experience.
Schilling, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, last fought in Bellator in 2019. His MMA record is 4-6.