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.
As a great band once said, “It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever.”
That’s an adage that’s especially true in combat sports and folks, I can say with confidence that we vaulted over that line this week with the latest from Russia’s Epic Fighting Championship.
(Big thanks as always to @Barrelelapierna for their weekly lists of the best KOs and submissions, and to @Grabaka_Hitman for uploading many of the clips you see here. If you have the time, give them a like and join Patreon . )
Yulia Mishko vs. Vladimir Spartak and “Big Igibob”
Vitaly Bykov vs. Ramzan Amsadoev and Vladislav Popov
Grigory Chistyakov vs. Aleksandra Stepakova
If you are wondering why this looks so strange and confusing, it is because your brain is working properly. This past Wednesday, Epic Fighting Championship put on not just a show with 2 vs. 1 matches and intergender matches, they merged the concept for this card’s opening bout that featured a woman fighting a 75-year-old man and his grandson (known as “Big Igibob”).
it’s here and it’s beautiful. First, Yulia Mishiko and Vladimir Spartak with his grandson BIG IGIBOB. The fight is over. #popMMA pic.twitter.com/A7fro1gQEU
— Matysek (@Matysek88) February 9, 2022
I don’t like it.
Surprisingly, Yulia Mishko actually shows some good instincts in the fight, not allowing her opponents to cut off the cage and staying patient throughout. She actually starts landing some bombs in Round 2 and oh my goodness why am I commenting on this as if it’s an actual thing???
You can watch the whole show for yourself on YouTube, but be warned, this is only the icing on an indigestible cake. Luckily for us, if you only want a small slice, several clips were uploaded to Twitter by the ever-resourceful @Matysek88.
Mishko ends up going to a draw with the pair, which wouldn’t happen under unified scoring rules as she clearly landed the most damaging shots of the fight. It’s a safe bet that Vladimir Spartak and Igibob had an advantage in total strikes though.
Up next was another 2 vs. 1 match, this time featuring Vitaly Bykov taking on Ramzan Amsadoev and Vladislav Popov. And remember what I said, we’re only sinking lower into the depths here, folks.
The fight barely starts before one of Bykov’s pals (presumably) jumps into the cage to even the score, which somehow does not make this a no contest and the bout just continues from there.
it’s here and it’s beautiful. first we have Yulia Mishko vs Vladimir Spartak and his grandson BIG IGIBOB. fight goes to distance. #popMMA pic.twitter.com/A7fro1gQEU
— Matysek (@Matysek88) February 9, 2022
Credit to Amsadoev and Popov once the fight gets going, they use the tried-and-true tactic of one fighter holding while the other punches, pioneered by Fight Circus’ Bank and No Money. Popov is disqualified after the fight. (I don’t know what would be considered breaking these rules). Amsadoev will now have to submit by Bykov.
fight resumes after a brawl. Bykov survives first round then Popov gets DQ and Bykov locks in kimura in 3rd! #popMMA pic.twitter.com/w7RbmDPNbm
— Matysek (@Matysek88) February 9, 2022
This is dumb. And so is this:
massive Grigory Chistyakov vs female strawweight Aleksandra Stepakova ends in a decision. you can see on Aleksanda face no fake punches here . #popMMA pic.twitter.com/5kh3rKEl64
— Matysek (@Matysek88) February 9, 2022
Remember Grigory Chistiakov? Of course you do. He’s the large man who lost a fight to a much smaller woman back in November 2020, with that fighter Darina Mazdyuklater later signing with Bellator and making an unsuccessful promotional debut this past October.
Well, he’s slimmed down to 200 kg. (approx. 440 pounds) for a fight with another woman, Aleksandra Stepakova, who tipped the scales at 52 kg. (approx. 115 pounds). The whole thing is dull beyond the show aspect. Chistyakov wins a decision so it’s not like David dropping Goliath.
Listen. This is Missed Fists. We don’t judge. However, it may be necessary to place a moratorium against these types of gratuitous stunts or contrived brawls at the moment as the gimmicks become more transparent and less entertaining. As always, we have respect for all who choose to fight, but promoters may not need to force these people to the cage in order to make money.
Jhonny Carlos vs. Cesar Benitez
Time for a palette cleanser.
From a Number 1 MMA show in Ceara, Brazil, Jhonny Carlos did the right thing after a vicious bop on Cesar Benitez.
Numero 14
Jhonny Carlos, Number 1 MMA 3 pic.twitter.com/MCCXZAn4eN— Barrele la pierna (@Barrelelapierna) February 7, 2022
Carlos had all day to throw a follow-up shot and thankfully didn’t. See, now that is good wholesome MMA like mom used to make (ignore that Benitez fell to 9-18 with 15 of his losses coming by way of knockout or submission). Well done, Carlos!
You can watch Number 1 MMA 3 for yourself on YouTube.
Alisson Lopes vs. Henrique Silva
Carlos Eduardo Lima vs. Maicon Zompero
Over in Sao Paulo at a Brazilian Fighting Series event (free replay available on YouTube) there was some more apparent mismatchery going on as Alisson Lopes dispatched a free-swinging Henrique Silva.
Nasty knee KO by Alisson Lopes #BrazilianFS5 pic.twitter.com/fnqPMCUULg
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 6, 2022
This Henrique Silva should not be confused with Henrique da Silva, or Luis Henrique who both competed in UFC. You could tell the difference after seeing Henrique throw one strike.
Carlos Eduardo Lima was even more precise, as he killed Maicon Zompero using a sniper shot so aptly reflects his nickname “Kadu Bullet .”
“.
Beautiful shot by Kadu Bullet for the TKO in R2 against Maicon Zompero #BrazilianFS5 pic.twitter.com/qFJZEFuiGG
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 6, 2022
Devin Dunn vs. Jacob Weeks
Alejandro Gomez vs. Jene Zarbano
Gauge Young vs. David Evans
Jesse Butler vs. Masio Fullen
Eduardo Dantas vs. Jose Alday
Isaac Dulgarian vs. TeeJay Britton
Eddie Fraire vs. Victor Gonzalez
With Dana White and the Nelk Boys in Independence, Mo., this past weekend, you can bet that all of the fighters at Fighting Alliance Championship 12 were on their best behavior. “Best” meaning “worst” in this case.
The hook of this “Lookin’ for a Fight” event was that the Nelk Boys would be offering a Full Send (that’s their brand) sponsorship to one lucky fighter and while it wasn’t clear what that entails, it can’t hurt for an up-and-coming fighter to have a famous name behind them.
Amateurs David Dunn and Alejandro Gomez both put their best foot forward by trying to take their opponents’ arms back home.
Devin Dunn se lleva un brazo a su casa #FAC12 pic.twitter.com/ha1sFNAGGr
— Barrele la pierna (@Barrelelapierna) February 6, 2022
Muy lindo armlock de Alejandro Gomez! #FAC12 pic.twitter.com/IPxVUUS8BJ
— Barrele la pierna (@Barrelelapierna) February 6, 2022
I don’t know what Gomez did with Zarbano’s arm, but it’s clear that Zarbano chose to tap instead of snap.
Gauge (an amazing name) cracked a bizarre right hand and went straight through David Evans’s face.
!!!
UFC President @DanaWhite is ‘ with @NELKBoys
[ #FAC12 | LIVE NOW | on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/QjqEm2hFmi
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 6, 2022
And Jesse Butler topped that by clobbering UFC veteran Masio Fullen and giving us our Humpty Dumpty Fall of the Week.
#FuryFC56 pic.twitter.com/lIzPQwUA2a
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 7, 2022
Two names that stood out on the card when it was announced were former Bellator champion Eduardo Dantas and Combate veteran Jose Alday. Honestly, either of these guys could have just been signed to the UFC without all of this pomp and circumstance and nobody would have complained.
Dantas made the most of the opportunity anyway.
HEAD KICK OUT OF NOWHERE
[ @DuduDantasMMA | #FAC12 LIVE NOW on @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/4CAAek3kj2
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2022
Alday is strong, but Dantas demonstrated that there were levels with the nasty head kick. I mean, this guy has fought elite 135ers and trained for years with Jose freakin’ Aldo. They didn’t know what was about to happen.
As far as we know, Dantas was not one of the fighters offered a contract after FAC 12; instead, that honor and the illustrious Full Send sponsorship went to Isaac Dulgarian according to a report from BJPenn.com.
His ice cold ground-and-pound knockout of TeeJay Britton was unquestionably eye-catching.
5 wins, 5 first round finishes for @Isaac_Dulgarian
[ #FAC12 LIVE on @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/covWcBEDOT
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2022
I have to admit that I do not know much about Nelk Boy, but I hope all these heroes get a shout out on YouTube or wherever else the children are looking these days.
FAC 12 is available on UFC Fight Pass, as is Fury FC 56, which is where our last (and shortest) highlight of the week originates from.
12 SECONDS. Eddie Fraire makes quick work of Victor Gonzalez. What a right hand #FuryFC56 pic.twitter.com/ELeNYnhjXd
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 7, 2022
Did you blink? It was there, you didn’t notice it. This is how quick Eddie Fraire knocked Victor Gonzalez with his right hand. Seriously, where the hell did that punch come from? Gonzales clearly didn’t have the answer as it put him down for the count just 12 seconds into the fight.
If Fraire keeps throwing punches like that, he’ll force us to tape our eyelids open should he eventually make it to the big leagues.
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 Twitter – @JedKMeshew and @AlexanderKLee – using the hashtag #MissedFists.