SPORT: Former Australian Rugby League star suffers brutal knockout at controversial RUNIT event in Dubai

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 second-rower 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.

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.

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.