Welcome to the latest edition of Missed Fists where we shine a light on fights from across the globe that may have been overlooked in these hectic times where it seems like there’s an MMA show every other day.
I’ve always been a believer in safety first when it comes to combat sports.
That might be an unreasonable take given the nature of the business we have dedicated ourselves to, but you’ll rarely see me complain about an early stoppage and I’ll never criticize a fighter for tapping to strikes (get
in there, ref!).
However, at a recent Lions Fight event in Manaus, Brazil, we saw the tap-out of all tap-outs and I’m not entirely sure what to make of it.
(Big thanks as always to @Barrelelapierna for their weekly lists of the best KOs, and to @Grabaka_Hitman for uploading many of the clips you see here. Give them a follow and chip in on Patreon if you can.)
Matheus Kokama vs. Michel Pantoja
Following a proper round of fighter introductions and even a glove tap, Michel Pantoja shocked everyone by kneeling down and immediately tapping the canvas to stop his fight with Matheus Kokama. Referee Dioclemar Neto didn’t actually acknowledge the tap right away, so the official time of the stoppage is seven seconds according to Tapology, but let’s be real, that’s a one-second fight right there.
According to TMZ Sports, Pantoja explained his bizarre non-performance was due to injuries suffered in a recent motorcycle accident.
Maybe next time just, like, let people know? Don’t make everyone do this dance because you’re too proud to pull out of a fight. More likely Pantoja showed up for a paycheck, but if you’re the promotion, surely you don’t have to honor his contract under these circumstances. I hate to advocate against a fighter getting paid… but not when they’re not prepared to fight!
Anyway, I’m assuming Pantoja isn’t a bad person, but this is a raw deal for Kokama, who gets a win under the most dubious circumstances and is probably pretty sour that his time was completely wasted.
Brock Adams vs. Cameron Stephen
After a one-second finish, an eight-second knockout seems almost pedestrian, but here it is anyway:
At a Fierce FC event in Price, Utah, amateur lightweight Brock Adams kept his game plan as simple as possible, throwing his right hand over and over again until he saw results. Adams experienced instant gratification as he just hammered Cameron Stephen for an absurdly fast stoppage.
Ryder Volz vs. Devon Younkin
In an amateur bout at BCM: Brawl at the Mall 5 in Ontario, Ohio, Ryder Volz (incredible name) shrugged off a front headlock and then unleashed a cannonball uppercut.
Poor Devon Younkin went headfirst into the mat from that punch. OUCH. He’s going to wake up with an aching neck wondering why it feels like he took a Stunner from Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Dinesh Nain vs. Yoshiteru Kubomura
I really can’t caption this better than Half Dead Frank himself:
“India you have a McGregor.”
Dinesh Nain scored a “Notorious” knockout at a Shooto event in Fukuoka, Japan, improving to 7-2 as a pro. A case could certainly be made that he was meant to style on his opponent Yoshiteru Kubomura, a 43-year-old with a regrettable 7-11-3 record.
Uuuuuuh but pretty cool highlight, right?
Bilali Yizibula vs. Jianing Liu
Zi Hao vs. Wuxiheng Muhamaitibai
Fighters were catching bodies at Jue Cheng King Fight Night 120 in Shanxi, China, namely Bilali Yizibula and Zi Hao.
Yizibula landed a spinning backfist that was so clean he surprised himself, and Zi just lined Wuxiheng Muhamaitibai up and emphatically put him down.
Moses Mokhar vs. Bryn Gwavava
Landing a picture-perfect right wasn’t satisfying enough for Moses Mokhar.
From EFC 135 in Sandton, South Africa:
A walk-off would have been so much cooler there and, sadly, referee Wiekus Swart wasn’t able to jump in on time to prevent a truly malicious follow-up punch. Nice to see Bryn Gwavava rise up like The Undertaker right after, though.
Diego Sanchez vs. Luis Martinez
Diego Sanchez is back! In amateur form!
A different Diego Sanches delivered an incredible knockout at a Real Fight League event in Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico, taking advantage of opponent Luis Martinez’s persistence.
Martinez ate a spin kick to the body like it was nothing and then just walked right into a left hook. Tough son of a gun. Out like a light, but tough.
Yusuf Esembaev vs. Troy Green
Jonathan Hanes vs. Dupree Stewart
Over on UFC Fight Pass, we’ve got a prospect watch on our hands as 22-year-old welterweight Yusuf Esembaev needed just 24 seconds to finish Troy Green and capture a vacant title in Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat promotion.
Even in that short clip, you can see the polish Esembaev has. He’s 5-0 now with all of his wins coming by first-round knockout or submission. It’s a long road ahead, but it’s a safe bet you’ll be hearing a lot more about Esembaev in the future.
Earlier on the card, Jonathan Hanes showed off impressive timing with a counter right that turned Dupree Stewart’s legs to jelly.
Damn, that counter was so clean it would have knocked out you, me, and Dupree.
(I’m so sorry.)
Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat 36 is available for replay on UFC Fight Pass.
Dimitri Jioev vs. John De Jesus
Justice Torres vs. Ricky Romo
Also on Fight Pass, Fury Challengers Series 16 featured Dimitri Jioev finishing Bellator veteran John De Jesus with a brutal flurry.
The loss dropped De Jesus’ record to 18-14, which means, yes, there are now 14 men who have f*cked with De Jesus.
Meanwhile, Justice Torres closed out the show with a bang.
Actually, that slam was more like a thud. Or a boom. Or an owwwwwwww! Great slam, is what I’m saying.
Paul Elliott vs. Regan Upshaw
Wouldn’t you know it, ONE Championship is still putting on MMA fights! And delivering some of the best knockouts you’ll see anywhere.
Case in point, here’s Paul Elliott:
You know a head kick is good when it ends up with you and your opponent both crashing to the canvas. That was like a pro-wrestling finisher.
Regan Upshaw actually got a hand up to block the kick, but as we saw at UFC Baku, sometimes rock just smashes through paper. Oh, and that took just six seconds by the way.
If you know of a recent fight or event that you think may have been overlooked, or a promotion that could use some attention, please let us know on X — @AlexanderKLee — using the hashtag #MissedFists.
