Russian MMA coach assaults store clerk over COVID-19 measures

The entire incident was captured on video. 

The Russian Federation has the second highest total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world. As a result, the vast majority of stores are currently requiring all customers to wear face masks a sa preventative measure or else run the risk of being refused service. This has led to several tense and troubling situations between customers and store clerks, including a recent incident where a Russian MMA coach assaulted a saleswoman in the village of Sudak in Crimea.

Reports emerged that Anton Sergeyev, a St. Petersburg based MMA coach, assaulted a store clerk in May 2020 after being denied service for not wearing a face mask. According to security footage posted by Russian blogger Alexander Talipov, the incident began after the coach’s girlfriend was refused service for not wearing a face mask. She appeared to verbally attack the store clerk, who remained silent. Moments later, the coach entered the store and confronted the clerk before spitting on her face. The victim then attacked Sergeyev with a can of cucumbers and chased him out of the store.

While Sergeyev later claimed that he did not attack the store clerk, security footage shows the coach punching the woman several times in the face and torso. Reports later confirmed that the victim suffered multiple bruises, a hematoma, rib fractures, and a suspected concussion.

“I can’t sleep on my back, it’s impossible to feel sick and breathe, ” the woman said.

his is not the first time that Sergeyev has made headlines. In January 2020, the coach drove his brand new BMW into a bus stop in Yalta, a resort city in the Crimean Peninsula.