Missed Fists: KSW’s Sofia Bagishvili points out opponent arm injury to referee

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 we’ve seen recently with the controversial Calgary conundrum, the heat of battle can produce some ugly moments between fighters and the results are often confusing and unsatisfying. It’s comforting to know that sometimes a fighter is able to keep their cool and win the fight while also considering their opponent’s wellbeing.

Case In Point: Sofia Bagishvili. This is your chance.

(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 ‘s Patreon . )

Sofia Bagishvili vs. Anita Bekus

KSW’s Sofia Bagishvili has a penchant for snagging arms and she scored another submission this past weekend, catching Anita Bekus with a nasty scarfhold armlock. Even though Bekus was in control, Bagishvili refused to tap the Polish strawweight, and so Bagishvili helped both the referee and Bekus realize the end of the fight.

You can clearly see that Bekus had bent her arm in an inextricable way in this clip. Fortunately for Bagishvili she was able to focus on her finish hold and point out that her opponent seemed to have been injured. Bekus still didn’t tap, but once the referee got a better view of what was happening, he made the wise decision to stop the fight.

Fighters are usually told to fight until the bell rings or until a referee intervenes. We’ve witnessed fighters who didn’t think this way get into serious trouble. Mayra Bueno Silva’s armbar of Stephanie Egger this past August led to an unseen tap that was only recognized after a rare polling of the judges. Just this past weekend at UFC 279, it looked as though Macy Chiasson hinted at a tap-out as Irene Aldana attacked with an armbar, which could have affected Aldana’s concentration (though this led to Aldana scoring the first finish by upkick-to-the-body in UFC history, so all is forgiven).

In this case, Bagishvili decided to take matters into her hands and she was able to bring justice. Later, she addressed the fight-ending sequence via Instagram :

“The referee was late and I couldn’t let go of hand without him stopping,” Bagishvili wrote. “It’s a cruel sport, but we chose it!”

If you want to see more of Bagishvili taking arms, check out that time she took advantage of the slip-and-slide conditions at an event in Kazbegi, Georgia, to score an 18-second submission.

Yelaman Sayassatov vs. Rysbek Maksatbek Uulu

We could have used Bagishvili’s keen eye at Mergen Fighting Championship 3 in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, as Yelaman Sayassatov had his opponent in deep trouble and the referee took his sweet time picking up on it.

The anaconda choke is by Sayassatov. Again, it’s hard to blame him for refusing to let go of his own accord. It’s seldom of any benefit the attacker fighter. Sportsmanship is great, but in this business you’ve got to look out for No. 1.

However, Rysbek MaksatbekUulu was left trembling with bewilderment when he regained consciousness. Bad times.

You can watch a free replay of MFC 3 via their official YouTube channel.

Jorge Gonzalez vs. Walter Luna

We aren’t done with stomach-churning submissions. Jorge Gonzalez won a Budo Sento Championship Light Heavyweight title. He was accompanied by this nasty-assheck Americana from Walter Luna.

Everyone knew that one was over, though it’s a little scary that it took the referee an extra second to catch Luna’s tap. That arm was about to complete a 360 degree rotation against its will.

Budo Sento Championship 10 is available for replay on UFC Fight Pass.

Ben Royle vs. Raymond Muganga

Let’s close out this opening cavalcade of highlight-reel submissions with Ben Royle’s methodical triangle choke set-up of Raymond Muganga from a Fairtex Fight show in Bangkok (free replay available on YouTube).

I’m not all that familiar with either fighter, but from this brief clip I can sense that there is a gap in grappling acumen between the two. Royle moves smoothly and quickly throws his legs up when Muganga attempts to crawl. This triangle isn’t breaking down, but it got even worse when Royle grabbed a leg.

Daniel Konrad vs. Tayron Chavarro

Let’s head back on over to Fight Pass for Cage Fight Series 12 in Graz, Austria, where Daniel Konrad landed a blistering counter left on a charging Tayron Chavarro that immediately caused Chavarro’s essence to leave the venue.

Brutal and tough to watch, but that’s our Humpty Dumpty Fall of the Week. No, we don’t set the rules.

Justus Faaiu vs. Chris Cisneros

Konrad took some unneeded follow-up photos, but this wasn’t an issue to Justus “Mr.

Konrad landed some unnecessary follow-up shots, but that wasn’t an issue for Justus “Mr.

Faaiu absolutely clapped Chris Cisneros in a high kick on the head, and had ample time to punish the referee from a distance. Instead, he held his fist back, saving his opponent from further damage and striking what turned out to be a pretty cool win pose. This was a very stylish end.

Armando Gjetja vs. Daniel Bastidas

Aringo Gjetja was unable to stop his rampage at a Ring of Combat in Atlantic City. His opponent Daniel Bastidas, who had been rocked, was kept up by the cage. He did what was best: Throwing out all possible strikes.

By my tally, that was a step-in elbow followed by a quick left to open the flurry, then Gjetja landed a clean left uppercut, a jab right down the pipe, a straight left on the money, and then took his time squaring Bastidas up for a knee that still didn’t put Bastidas down but was at least enough to prompt some much-needed referee intervention.

This is one of the hardest standing knockouts that you will ever witness.

Byron Wells vs. Shawn Tillman
Joshua Aleman vs. Preston Collins

Closing out this week’s show are Byron Wells and Josh Aleman, who both got the chance to walk it off after landing no-doubt one-hitter quitters.

Wells smoked Shawn Tillman using a right-hand bomb to the side, and Aleman used a YOLO flying leg that sent his opponent Preston Collins flying out the frame.

Support amateur MMA by checking out the Fury Amateur Series 40 for free on YouTube.

And until next time, remember: Don’t just protect yourself at all times, protect yourself in all areas.

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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.