A security guard who was knocked out during a confrontation with a Chinese MMA fighter outside a residential apartment has come forward, admitting that he felt deeply embarrassed after the viral incident caught the public’s attention.
The altercation, which took place recently, was caught on video and widely circulated online. It showed the guard, later identified as 24-year-old Mohamad Arin, being punched to the ground during a heated exchange with 21-year-old Tony Lim, a Chinese mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete. The incident sparked intense public discussion across social media platforms in both Malaysia and Singapore.
“It Was a Misunderstanding That Escalated Too Quickly”
Arin revealed that the altercation occurred during a shift change just as he was clocking out from duty. He said the dispute was the result of a misunderstanding between him and the young MMA fighter.
“I admit I’ve got a short temper, and I’m not a professional fighter — I’ve never even trained in martial arts,” he said. “Everything happened too suddenly.”
Arin sustained a split lip during the confrontation, which required four stitches. He added that both parties had lodged police reports following the scuffle and had reached an agreement to keep the incident private. However, he was blindsided when the video was later leaked and went viral.
“A friend messaged me, saying the video was all over the internet. Not long after, even my relatives were asking about it,” Arin shared. “I didn’t expect it to blow up like this. I live with my family, and with so many people in the neighbourhood, it was extremely humiliating.”
Security Guard Learns from Experience, Not Dismissed
Despite the public attention, Arin confirmed that he had not been sacked and has since been transferred to another residential area in Puchong. He expressed gratitude to his employer for not letting the incident cost him his job.
“I’ve learnt a very painful but important lesson from this. I’ll be more mindful of how I handle my emotions,” he said. Arin also took the opportunity to apologise to the public and his family for the trouble caused.
Public Reactions and Viral Fame
The original video that triggered the storm featured Arin reportedly provoking the MMA fighter, challenging him with the words “Come on, hit me!” Moments later, he was swiftly taken down. The clip drew millions of views, with netizens debating whether the fighter’s actions were justified or excessive.
While some social media users criticised Arin for instigating the confrontation, others pointed out that the MMA fighter showed restraint by walking away after neutralising the situation without further aggression.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of conflict de-escalation — and the speed at which public altercations can spiral into viral sensations in the digital age.