Nizzardelli Disqualified After Late-Night Fight
As the final hands of the night were being played, tensions were already high at Table 12 from the previous hand where Michele Nizzardelli won a pot after a controversial check on the river.
Nizzardelli was covering the short stack of Ghattas Kortas, who was all in and at risk. Nizzardelli three-bet with A?K? and was called by Kortas, who turned over 10?10?.
Nizzardelli hit a pair immediately on the K?4?7? flop, holding through the Q?J? runout to earn a second straight pot. Kortas was eliminated but was visibly angry at the situation. He walked behind Nizzardelli, removed the Italian's hat and began to walk away.
Nizzardelli reacted by pushing Kortas in the back. Kortas stumbled forward, turned around and walked back towards Nizzardelli, who put his hands up as if to challenge Kortas.
The two were then standing face to face when Nizzardelli threw a headbutt that caught Kortas on the bridge of the nose and knocked him to the floor. Kortas was startled and began asking other players if his face was alright. Security was called, escorting Nizzardelli out of the tournament room.
His stack was immediately removed from the table and Nizzardelli was disqualified. Both Nizzardelli and Kortas were further disciplined by PokerStars.