In this edition of Missed Fists, we highlight noteworthy MMA fights from around the world that may have gone unnoticed in today`s busy combat sports landscape.
UFC 314 last Saturday featured an overall strong fight card, though some questionable referee stoppages were observed. Examples include Michal Oleksiejczuk`s KO of Sedriques Dumas, Michael Beltran`s late stoppage in the Darren Elkins fight, and Dan Ige`s KO victory over Sean Woodson, where Woodson still seemed capable of continuing.
Surprisingly, perhaps a more anticlimactic ending occurred the day before at LFA 206 in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
This unusual finish was accidental; Joey Hart`s kick from an awkward angle unfortunately resulted in his toe striking his opponent in a sensitive area.
Omoyele Gonzalez was visibly hit in the eye by the toe poke. Such accidental incidents are difficult to manage. Referee Rob Madrigal considered pausing the fight, but with the situation unclear and only a minute remaining in the round, he allowed it to continue. Regrettably, Gonzalez`s eye severely swelled, preventing him from competing in the third round.
Thus, Hart secured a TKO victory.
While unfortunate, Hart had nearly finished Gonzalez at the end of the first round with ground strikes. Similar to Sean Woodson`s situation against Ige, losing in this manner eliminates any chance of a comeback, which is disheartening.
This incident exemplifies another unpredictable way a fight can end in MMA.
Moving on: Impressive Heavyweight Head Kick Knockout
A refreshing change of pace. Credit to Alvin Hines for the knockout.
LFA 206 was an action-packed event, with all 12 fights ending before the scorecards (12 KOs/TKOs, two submissions). Here are three more standout finishes from the event.
Martin Camilo dominated Perry Stargel in a fight that featured a well-timed referee stoppage.
Stargel`s reaction and body language humorously suggested he was overwhelmed by the onslaught.
Kyle Zimick showed remarkable resilience, absorbing numerous clean punches from Taner Trembley without falling.
Eventually, Trembley landed the decisive blow that ended the fight.
Another noteworthy referee decision before continuing.
Referee Nick Berens showed restraint by not immediately stopping the fight when Santos Verdinez was dropped by Timothy Bender early in the first round. Berens allowed Verdinez to recover (partly due to Bender`s momentary pause), and Verdinez ultimately rallied to win by knockout.
Unlike Bender`s unsuccessful walk-off, Mehdad Kavand`s attempt was justified.
Kavand confidently signaled the fight`s end, though initially ignored. He proceeded to decisively finish Marco Biswana with further strikes, including a knee to the chin, before achieving his walk-off victory.
At a Fight Night Championship event in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Tiriel Abramovic demonstrated perfect timing, pausing momentarily before delivering a one-punch knockout.
The knockout was particularly impressive as it occurred amidst a flurry of action. Abramovic paused, regained composure, and then landed the fight-ending strike.
Heavyweight veteran Michal Kita, at 44 years old and with a long career dating back to 2006, may be nearing retirement. Miran Fabjan defeated him, allowing him to fight to the finish.
A powerful uppercut early in the fight signaled the beginning of the end for Kita. After that, Fabjan took control, and once Kita was on the ground, he couldn`t recover.
From a DEEP event in Tokyo, Japan:
A classic right hand followed by a soccer kick to the face proved to be a fight-ending combination in this instance.
Joan Arastey`s knockout victory at Ansgar Fighting League in Valencia, Spain, was strikingly impactful.
Lucas Rodrigues was visibly stunned by the knockout blow, and the video editing highlights the prolonged sense of falling Rodrigues must have experienced.
Finally, we showcase two impressive kick knockouts from Zack Golden and Lewis Wood.
Zack Golden displayed excellent patience at American Kombat Alliance 45, strategically pursuing Steven Campbell and waiting for the ideal opportunity to deliver a head kick knockout.
Campbell repeatedly made the mistake of reacting defensively by flinching back instead of countering or using footwork, making him an easier target for Golden`s attack.
In an amateur bout at Almighty Fighting Championship 40, Lewis Wood executed a spectacular spinning kick, resulting in a knockout victory.
If you are aware of any recent overlooked fights or MMA events that deserve recognition, please share them using #MissedFists.
