“I always said I’d rather be stopped in an exciting fight than win a boring one,” Rozicki said on Instagram following the bout.

“Congrats to Chris Billam-Smith and his team, an absolute honour to share the ring. A true world champion and absolute gentleman. We both ended up in the hospital. I wish you nothing but the best. Enjoy your family time now champ.”

Although the result did not go his way, Rozicki delivered on his pre-fight promise of an action fight. The bout quickly developed into a punishing battle, with both men taking damage before the contest was halted after seven rounds.

“Thank you to Zuffa Boxing for giving me the opportunity to have the kind of fight I been wanting for many years,” Rozicki continued.

“I would have went to the death last night but my coach made the decision that I will never protest. My corner saw something they didn’t like even though we all know I would have kept going to the end. Live to fight another day.”

Rozicki also thanked fans who watched the contest and stood by his pre-fight prediction that the matchup would deliver action.

“I hope everyone enjoyed the fight. Like I said, it was going to be violent and I believe that it delivered. Thank you everyone for the support.”

For Rozicki, the outcome appeared secondary to the experience itself. Even after a trip to the hospital and a stoppage defeat, he described the fight as the kind of opportunity he had been seeking for years.