Controversial internet personality Andrew Tate has suffered defeat in his first professional boxing match, losing to Misfits heavyweight champion Chase DeMoor in Dubai on Saturday night. The highly-anticipated bout headlined a card at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium, with DeMoor retaining his title via judges' decision after a gruelling six-round contest.
A Tense Battle in the Desert
The atmosphere was electric as the fighters made their way to the ring. Chase DeMoor, the reigning champion, entered first to a chorus of boos from a crowd heavily favouring Tate. The challenger, by contrast, received a rapturous welcome from his supporters. Tate started the stronger of the two, establishing his jab early in the first round and controlling the centre of the ring.
Building on his positive start, Tate began to target DeMoor's body in the second session. DeMoor attempted to use his significant size and reach advantage to bully the newcomer, but Tate's movement and accurate punching kept him at bay. The third round followed a similar pattern, with Tate seemingly in control until a powerful right hand from DeMoor landed cleanly, shifting the momentum and giving the champion a crucial boost.
Fitness Fades as DeMoor Seizes Control
As the fight progressed into the fourth round, questions about Tate's conditioning began to surface. The six-round distance, which Tate had reportedly requested, started to look like a mistake as his output decreased. The action became messy with frequent clinching, frustrating the expectant crowd in Dubai.
The pivotal moment arrived in the fifth round. DeMoor, sensing his opportunity, landed a crushing uppercut that sent Tate to the canvas. The referee ruled it a slip, but Tate was visibly hurt and only just survived the round after absorbing another huge right hand. With nothing left in the tank for a final-round resurgence, a spent Tate could only cover up as DeMoor dominated the last three minutes, though he couldn't secure the knockout. The victory was ultimately awarded to DeMoor by the judges' scorecards.
Undercard Action: Ferguson Dominates, Vargas Stays Perfect
In the co-main event, UFC veteran Tony Ferguson put on a commanding performance, dominating Warren Spencer over five one-sided rounds. Ferguson was aggressive from the opening bell, dropping Spencer with a left hand in the second round. Spencer showed heart to fight back in the third, but Ferguson's class told in rounds four and five, with Spencer even losing a tooth before Ferguson took a clear points victory.
Elsewhere on the card, Amado Vargas remained undefeated as a professional, moving to 14-0 with a unanimous decision win over the previously unbeaten Dean The Great. Vargas demonstrated his superior skill level throughout the contest.
The event also saw Neeraj Goyat triumph over Anthony Taylor on points. The fight followed a week of intense verbal sparring between the two. Taylor was originally scheduled to face Dillon Danis in an MMA bout, but Danis withdrew after being injured in a brawl at UFC 322 last month.
