A video capturing a dramatic confrontation involving a Russian tourist accused of inappropriate behavior towards women has taken the internet by storm. The incident, which occurred in Uluwatu, Bali, shows the tourist being physically restrained by locals, sparking widespread attention online.
The video reveals a shirtless man being held down and choked by a group of angry Balinese onlookers. The altercation was reportedly triggered by allegations that the tourist had acted inappropriately during a night out.
Prominent in the footage is Balinese fighter and gym owner, Belda Brig Sando, who is seen pinning the tourist to the ground. The man, visibly reddening, appears to lose consciousness during the encounter.
“Respect locals,” Sando is heard shouting at the seemingly unconscious tourist, emphasizing the community’s frustration and demand for respect.
As tensions rise, another bystander, possibly a fellow tourist, attempts to calm the situation, noting that “he’s out, he’s out,” in reference to the subdued man.
Sando responds by explaining, “This is a drunk bule (foreigner) touching a girl and having no respect,” highlighting the alleged misconduct that led to the confrontation.
After a considerable amount of time in a headlock, Sando finally released the tourist, who momentarily lay still on the ground.
“Don’t touch the girls like that,” Sando is heard saying.
“Bali is safe. Bali people are nice. You can do whatever you want in Bali but respect [our] locals.
The man then regained consciousness, slurring his words as he attempted to get out a sentence.
“I got it, I got it,” the man said.
“If I punch you, I can finish you. But I choked you till you understood. Where are you from?” said Sando.
“I understand bro. I’m from Russia,” the man replied as he wiped his nose.
“Are you from Russia? [There’s] many Russian people doing s**t here, don’t be one of them.”
Sando was then seen extending a hand to the man, who began questioning who he had allegedly touched.
“Who did I touch?” he asked.
“Who? Don’t say who. Everybody already saw it, you’re drunk,” said Sando.
“Bali is nice, but if you’re not nice, we can smash you here. Shut up and go home.”
The fight coach and founder of Zando Fight Club has since addressed the incident, calling out foreigners “who come here and act without respect.”
“This guy was drunk – touching people, walking in the middle of the road, stopping strangers, and even slapping heads like it’s normal,” he wrote online.
“No one said anything until he touched one of my friends. That’s when I stepped in, and it turned into a fight.
“What I did may not have been right, and for that I apologise. I’m human – sometimes emotions take over. But I didn’t start it. He crossed the line first.
“Bali is a beautiful place, and the people here are kind and respectful. That’s what we want everyone to experience.
“But respect goes both ways. I’m tired of seeing some foreigners come here and act without respect. Let’s keep Bali the way it should be – good people, good energy.”
The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of Bali’s nightlife, as the idyllic holiday destination increasingly becomes the scene of unruly tourist behaviour.
Earlier this year, a group of tourists was filmed brawling outside a small supermarket in Kuta, with locals being forced to intervene.
Women were heard screaming as the holiday-makers threw punches and attacked each other outside the store.
In 2025, Bali launched a campaign to educate tourists on appropriate behaviour while visiting the island.
Governor Wayan Koster said the new guidelines for foreign tourists visiting the island aim to address growing concerns over misbehaving visitors on ways to respect local customs, dressing modestly at religious sites and refraining from damaging the environment.
The guidelines also aim to reduce violence among visitors and ensure that Bali’s tourism industry aligns with local laws.
“This ensures that Bali’s tourism remains respectful, sustainable and in harmony with our local values,” Koster said at the time.
