Former NRL star Kevin Proctor suffers sickening KO by social media influencer at RUNIT event in Dubai

Former NRL veteran and 22 Test Kiwis forward Kevin Proctor was sensationally knocked out in scary scenes by a social media influencer at the controversial RUNIT02 event.

Former NRL veteran and 22 Test Kiwis forward Kevin Proctor was sensationally knocked out in scary scenes by social media influencer Jordan Simi at RUNIT 02 in Dubai overnight.

The pair took part in an exhibition run it straight challenge at the big-money event early on Sunday morning, Australian time.

In footage posted to social media, Proctor, who is defending, drives his right shoulder into the ball-carrying Simi.

But the former Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans backrower comes off second best, as he spins in the air after contact and lands heavily on the ground.

Proctor appears to be knocked out as he hits the floor, with his arms and legs going stiff in sickening scenes.

A small crew of medics and officials rush to the 36-year-old’s side as he struggles to sit back up.

A former lower grade rugby league player, Simi is also an artist and has become a social media influencer.

Kevin Proctor’s collision with Jordan Simi. Picture: Supplied/Instagram

He also stepped into the boxing ring opposite Justin Hodges in 2022, losing a four-round unanimous decision.

Proctor played 283 NRL games for the Storm and Titans in a 15-year footy career.

He was sacked by the Titans after he posted a video to his Instagram story of himself vaping in the toilets during the halftime break of the Titans’ loss to the Bulldogs in 2022.

Proctor wasn’t playing, but was 19th man when he captioned the video: “Not the halftime vape”.

He quickly deleted it, but was soon released by the Titans.

One of the most controversial new combat sports on the planet, RUNIT staged its second event in Dubai, just a month after a New Zealand teenager died after playing a run it straight style game with friends.

Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, passed away after suffering a severe brain injury while playing an impromptu game in Palmerston North.

RUNIT event organisers are quick to point out they have highly trained medical staff at all their events, as well as testing before and afterwards.

Organisers also provide a tackling technique coach, while all competitors were “selected and screened” by an “athlete manager”.

RUNIT has branded itself as the “world’s fiercest new collision sport” and has gained an immense online following in just a few months.

But it has also copped an intense backlash from CTE experts, while the New Zealand Warriors, Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby League have all distanced themselves from it.

RUNIT and its deep-pocketed investors and sponsors flew eight athletes to Dubai, with $200,000 on offer for first place, while second took home $50,000 and third prize was $25,000.

Originally published as Former NRL star Kevin Proctor suffers sickening KO by social media influencer at RUNIT event in Dubai