Joe Schilling and Tony Johnson kicked off the main card of Bellator 229, with Johnson scoring a third round knockout victory.
It was revealed by MMA Junkie that Schilling broke his arm during the bout after attempting a spinning back fist against Johnson in the first round.
Schilling would also post a video on Instagram, explaining that he came into the bout at Bellator 229 with a variety of ailments affecting him.
Here is a transcript of what Schilling said in the video, provided by MMA Junkie:
“I’m having a hard time making this video to be honest because it kind of goes against everything I stand for. But I do have some things I need to let out of the bag. I was planning on talking to ‘Big’ John McCarthy about this in the ring when I won, but for the last two weeks I haven’t been able to use my right arm. I’ve been at OC Fight Doctor getting therapy to try to straighten out my right arm and get anti-inflammatory injections in my right hand, my right arm won’t extend all the way. I thought I was going to be able to find a way to get the job done. I’m also really sick. Anybody who was in my locker room, and anyone in Tony Johnson’s locker room could probably hear me hacking up, throwing up in the trash can for my warmup. I kept telling myself I was going to find a way to win and I thought I came close. But Tony Johnson did a great job tonight. Congratulations to him. I just wanted to apologize to my fans and management and sponsors that I didn’t look like myself out there and I got caught. That’s part of the game. I just explained that to my son. That’s what makes this sport so (expletive) gangster, and I’m one of the most gangster mother(expletive) you’ll ever meet. Looking back I probably should’ve pulled out of the fight, but I kept telling myself I would get the job done.”
There is no word yet on when Schilling is expected to return to action, but more should be known when the broken arm heals up and the fighter gets over the various ailments that are affecting him.
