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.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
(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.)
Abdi Iniestra vs. Anthony Ramirez
To this day, I still don’t know how Yair Rodriguez landed that mythical last-second elbow on The Korean Zombie, one of the most incredible (and for Zombie stans like myself, saddest) finishes of all time. I’m even more confused that I’ve seen other fighters attempt it, because that had to be a once-in-a-lifetime strike, right?
Then again.
At a Lux Fight League 63 show in Queretaro, Mexico, 21-year-old flyweight prospect Abdi Iniestra nailed the Pantera Elbow to a tee, and yes, it was again in the closing seconds of the fight. Iniestra timed his shot perfectly, catching Anthony Ramirez square on the jaw and putting him away with three seconds left.
Time is a flat circle, man.
Dilano Taylor vs. Nick Meck
Reginald Jones vs. Tyrell Hill
Also on UFC Fight Pass, hey, remember Dilano Taylor?
Dude knocked out Rory MacDonald once upon a time. But that was really the peak of his PFL run and he’s since returned to the regional scene where, frankly, he’s probably overqualified.
At Fury FC 125, he smashed Nick Meck to capture a welterweight title.
Taylor is 5-0 since parting ways with PFL, so he’s kind of in a weird limbo as far as what’s next for him. Keep in mind, he’s just 29 years old, so there’s plenty of time for Taylor to make a run with the bigger shows or just keep winning and keep those checks coming in.
Earlier on the card, 24-year-old flyweight Reginald Jones improved to 3-0 with a quick knockout over Tyrell Hill.
That’s a dude who wasn’t leaving North Dakota without a finish.
Logan Froese vs. Abhimanyu Chadha
Samuel Allard vs. Zakaria Zouine
Now we head to the amateur scene for a couple of well-deserved winners of this week’s “I Can’t Believe This Shit Is Legal In An Amateur Fight” awards.
First, from a Rising Stars Fight Series show in Ontario, Canada, we have Logan Froese executing a slam from the deepest depths of hell.
Prays up for Abhimanyu Chadha, because you know everything is hurting after being on the receiving end of that nastiness.
At a Duel Fighting event in Chambery, France, Samuel Allard completely flattened Zakaria Zouine with a classic overhand right.
Again, these gentlemen are not getting paid for any of this.
Mariam Nanava vs. Donmez Sudenaz
Octagons are so 2000 and late. Pentagons are where it’s at.
Mariam Nanava certainly seems to have figured out the five-sided ring, as she walked Donmez Sudenaz down and knocked her flat out. From what I can tell, this is a modified kickboxing match with MMA gloves, but whatever the rule set, the result is the same.
Intrigued? Watch a free replay of Pentagon Fighting 3 on YouTube.
Joao Miguel Monteiro vs. Davi Pereira
Ronaldy Medina vs. Gabriel Moreira
At Jungle Fight 155 in Rio de Janeiro, Joao Miguel Monteiro won this week’s “You Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round” with this counter left hook that turned Davi Pereira the full 180 degrees.
Meanwhile, Ronaldy Medina takes home the always popular “Blink And You Missed It” award.
Seven seconds. Yikes.
Amurlen Tugurov vs. Singburi
The week wouldn’t be complete without shining the spotlight on Amurlen Tugurov, who destroyed Singburi with a spinning elbow at a Rajadamnern World Series in Bangkok, Thailand.
Nice effort by the ref to go for the catch there, but you’d have to be Spider-Man to make that save.
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.
