Missed Fists: Octagon League event features trio of slick, out-of-nowhere submissions

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.

This past UFC-free weekend still proved to be incredibly eventful as Demetrious Johnson ascended back to the top of the flyweight mountain, Christine Ferea established herself as the woman to beat in the BKFC’s 125-pound division, and something called “KSI 2 Fights 1 Night” apparently happened?

It’s true, there were more traditional MMA fights around the globe. Let’s look at that first before we move on to Paris for the UFC’s debut visit.

It’s always a pleasure to be able to shine a light on submissions to kick things off, so thank you to Kazakhstan’s Octagon League for giving us that opportunity by providing a trio of incredible grappling finishes.

(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. Give them a follow and chip in on Patreon if you can. )

Raiymbek Asan vs. Alidzhon Shoev
Shakhzod Dzhurakulov vs. Mamarasul Abdurasul uulu
Doniyor Yokubjonov vs. Evgeniy Surin

It’s rare that you see a Suloev Stretch successfully pulled off and even more rare that you see one seemingly pulled out of a hat. Sure, Octagon 34 might not have featured the most experienced, well-seasoned fighters (none of the losing fighters in these clips had more than one pro bout), but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the kind of finishes you only see at events like this.

Case: Raiymbek Asan was not qualified to win his pro debut by performing an insane Suloev Stretch. But Alidzhon Shiev, Alidzhon Shoev’s opponent, made magic happen. Both fighters deserve props.

Shakhzod Tzhurakulov was forced to do a lot more work for his submission. It was undoubtedly much better.

Dzhurakulov wasn’t lifting his guard strategically. He was actually rocked by a Mamarasul Abdurasul uulu left. However, Abdurasul uulu was overeager and dove right into Dzhurakulov’s legs, prompting Dzhurakulov to throw up an armbar and earn the tap-out with the quickness.

Doniyor Yokubjonov’s arm-triangle choke submission isn’t quite as surprising as the others, but you can tell his opponent thought he was about to get top position.

Incorrect.

Evgeniy Surin looked to turn into Yokubjonov’s guard, but didn’t create any separation and that allowed Yokubjonov to secure a grip while they were scrambling. That’s no bueno, which he found out the hard way.

Octagon 34 is available for free replay via their YouTube.

Akhmednabi Magomedov vs. Bektarkan Kapnazar

We also got a beauty of a submission from Universal Fighters League 4, which took place in Dagestan. Akhmednabi Magomedov seems to have known that Bektarkan Kapnazar wasn’t seeing what was ahead. Magomedov then trapped Kapnazar and put him to bed.

Is there any choke that produces knockouts more consistently than the Von Flue?

Magomedov improves to 10-0, which is impressive, but it’s worth mentioning that Kapnazar entered this one with a 1-6 record. Magomedov, step up!

Universal Fighters League 4 is available for free replay via their YouTube.

Carlos Mota vs. Rizvan Abuev

You want knockouts? Okay, now let’s move on to the knockouts.

They don’t get much better than Carlos Mota’s crushing left hand on Rizvan Abuev that won him a vacant flyweight title at LFA 140 (replay available on UFC Fight Pass).

As Mota suggests in his tweet, he’s ready for the next level and I don’t think anyone at the UFC offices is going to disagree after viewing this clip and taking into consideration his body of work so far.

I will say, it was a bit rude of a ghost to show up out of nowhere and put Abuev in a hammerlock as he was plummeting to the ground.

Shane Wellman vs. Steve Pyles
David Burke vs. Jideofor Ojukwu

A pair of amateur bouts from Cage Titans 55 give us our Humpty Dumpty candidates of the week, though they couldn’t be more different.

Shane Wellman’s brutal knockout of Steve Pyles is your standard Humpty Dumpty fall as Pyles is so desperate to get off the cage, he leaves himself open to a walloping right to the side of his head that causes him to dive face-first into the canvas.

Our real Humpty Dumpty of the Week goes to David Burke though, who actually had a great fall in the middle of winning the fight.

Sometimes you just have to smile.

Other times, you have to cry, like when you see Kyle Pavao shred his opponent’s arm (not to mention the eardrums of everyone who heard the snap). Not that I would know, because I haven’t watched the clip and never will.

If you want to know more about the situation and who was involved, check out Mike Heck’s detailed dive on MMA Fighting. Reading about this finish is about as far as I’m going to go.

Mateus Santos vs. Neuaque Miniamin
Bruno Fontes vs. Thierry Lucas
Michael Oliveira vs. Elder Costa

Over in Rio de Janeiro, all kinds of greasiness was happening at Jungle Fight 110 (free replay available on YouTube) and you can watch three of the best finishes right here.

First up, Mateus “I’m Ready” Santos delivered a counter right that caused his opponent to fall and bounce his head off of the canvas.

Referee could have called it before the ensuing follow-up shots and I don’t think anyone would have complained.

There was no complaining about this next stoppage, as Bruno Fontes folded Thierry Lucas with a gut-busting body kick.

Props to the referee jumping in right away, treating that body shot like a haymaker to the head. Probably hurt even worse than that.

Then there was Michael Oliveira who pursued his victim with so much determination that it could have been taken from the film Prey .

Eric Leandro vs. Cody Potesta
Cody Matthews vs. Ben Coyle

Lastly, let’s head to the regional scene for a couple of exciting head kick finishes, one of which isn’t exactly textbook.

From a Gladiator Challenge event in Valley Center, Calif., Eric Leandro just reared back and essentially won with a soccer kick to a standing (er, stumbling) opponent.

Haha, if it works it will work.

If you’re looking for a traditional head kick KO then here’s Cody Matthews taking out Ben Coyle while he lunges at him with his right leg. This was taken at the Rocket Combat Sports event in Orange, Va .

This is head kickery. Just like mom used to make.

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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 – @AlexanderKLee – using the hashtag #MissedFists.