Welcome to a curated collection of exceptional moments in mixed martial arts, showcasing remarkable fights from various corners of the world that might have been missed amidst the constant stream of MMA events.
For enthusiasts deeply invested in the sport, platforms offering extensive fight libraries and coverage of both established and emerging scenes remain invaluable. If you`re seeking raw and unfiltered cage fighting action beyond the mainstream, exploring such platforms will reveal a wealth of captivating content, especially evident in the past week`s events.
This week`s top recognition goes to Miguel Sanson for his unexpected mid-fight homage to wrestling icon, The Rock.
Indeed, you are seeing it right. That was a rendition of the famous people`s elbow.
While Sanson`s execution might have lacked some of the showmanship of Dwayne Johnson`s signature move, his intent to entertain audiences worldwide with this unconventional ground-and-pound technique was unmistakable.
The `People`s Elbow` did not immediately end the bout, much like its wrestling counterpart doesn`t always guarantee a pinfall. However, Sanson`s opponent, Chris Johnson, was clearly on the verge. A powerful slam followed by further ground strikes sealed a memorable victory.
This win marks the 25-year-old bantamweight`s third consecutive victory, boosting his professional record to 7-2. Hopefully, Sanson will achieve greater success in his career than the previous fighter who attempted a similar wrestling-inspired move.
Earlier in the event, featherweight amateur Taezhon Mason delivered a stunning head kick knockout, reminiscent of a famous wrestling finisher but impactful in its own right.
Events this past Sunday featured a series of decisive and impactful finishes.
Marcus Nash demonstrated brutal force against Felipe Rocha, who quickly succumbed. The power of Nash`s uppercut was evident, making Rocha`s subsequent defense understandable.
As Rocha raised his hands defensively, intervention from the referee could have been justified to prevent further damage.
Artur Minev landed a rapid and forceful strike against Shane Keefe, leaving Keefe with little time to react.
Thinking he was out of range proved to be a miscalculation.
Nico Echeverry also delivered a knockout blow to Devon Dixon.
The result was a definitive finish in the cage.
Fighters at another event also faced similar outcomes.
In a swift display, An Tuan Ho finished Jimi Natividad in just 16 seconds.
A strong head kick initiated the knockout sequence, followed by a front kick that appeared to diminish Natividad`s fighting spirit. The concluding strikes were straightforward from that point.
In another match, Dylan Mantello landed a precise combination against Ednilson Santos, causing Santos to stumble significantly.
MMA veteran Joe Giannetti returned to the win column, effectively utilizing a triangle choke to secure a technical knockout from a bottom position.
Giannetti has been actively competing since his appearance on a past season finale in 2018. Having expressed his focused mindset for future opportunities, a potential return to a major MMA promotion could be on the horizon.
At an event in Rio de Janeiro, Mateus Rodrigues executed a spinning right strike to Diogo Ferreira`s temple with pinpoint accuracy.
When a strike forces an opponent to turn away and fall, it typically signifies a clear fight stoppage.
An unfortunate moment involved Lucas Caldas and an illegal stomp, leading to his disqualification.
While controversial tactics can sometimes be part of fighting, successful execution without penalty is crucial. In this instance, the infraction was evident and costly.
An event in Mexico City featured striking-focused matches that were exceptionally intense.
These striking matches are contested with MMA gloves under kickboxing rules, resulting in impactful exchanges.
A knockdown in one bout might have led to a finish in a standard MMA context. However, a standing count allowed the fight to continue, leading to further punishment for the resilient but ultimately outmatched fighter.
Sofia Montenegro dominated her opponent, leading to a clear signal of surrender.
When an attack causes an opponent to slump against the cage, it strongly suggests the fight should be concluded.
Similarly, another decisive finish occurred when Gustavo Navarrete countered a kick with a direct right hand for a knockout.
In another instance where a count seemed unnecessary, Carlos Perez landed a devastating spinning kick to the body.
In such cases, immediate medical attention becomes the priority.
