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 it’s often said, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and Brian Manning didn’t disappoint in his first fight for Oktagon MMA.
(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.)
Brian Manning vs. Daniel Schwindt
Mochamed Machaev vs. Niko Samsonidse
The whole Saw aesthetic might be played out by now, but Manning’s commitment to the Jigsaw bit has to be commended. That’s genuinely menacing, and if I were his opponent, Daniel Schwindt, I’d be having second thoughts about playing a game with the undefeated Irishman.
I don’t know where Manning’s ensuing knockout would rank among the infamous horror series’ most gut-wrenching scenes, but Schwindt might have been better off navigating an elaborate deathtrap than dealing with the furious fists of Manning.
Manning smacks Schwindt with a 1-2, lands a right over the top, and then slips in a short counter that drops Schwindt. He then just starts windmilling in ground-and-pound punches and the referee takes his sweet time stepping in to stop the fight.
A-plus presentation and performance for Manning, who improved to 6-0 in his Oktagon debut.
The stakes were higher in the main event with a vacant featherweight championship on the line, and it was Mochamed Machaev (not to be confused with Muhammad Mokaev) who came out on top.
The 26-year-old Austrian cracked (and I mean CRACKED, listen to that hit) Niko Samsonidse with a gorgeous check left hook and even though it took a few follow-ups shots to make it official, Samsonidse was essentially done right there.
Good sportsmanship as well from the new 145-pound champion, who immediately went to assist Samsonidse and help him back to his feet even though it was clear he had no clue what was going on.
Zhang Jiabao vs. Mirzhamol Mirsaidov
Another good way to endear yourself to a promotion? Knocking your opponent out in five seconds.
At a Jue Cheng King show in Shanxi, China, Zhang Jiabao invited Mirzhamol Mirsaidov to come right at him and then leveled him with a counter left. They don’t come much cleaner or faster than that and I have to imagine Zhang is itching to get back in the cage, so if there’s a spot open on the promotion’s March 14 card, sign this man up!
You can watch a free replay of JCK Kings 10 on YouTube.
Danylo Cherednichenko vs. Pedro Elias
Not as quick, but no less spectacular is this Danylo Cherednichenko armbar outta nowhere on Pedro Elias at a Balu Fighting League event in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Seems like a harmless scramble at first, but Elias never gets his arm clear and Cherednichenko immediately seizes the opportunity to slide into position and lock his legs around Elias’ neck and shoulder. Seconds later, Cherednichenko forces the tap with a picturesque triangle armbar.
Check out a free replay of the event on YouTube.
Hyuk Min Ji vs. Yui Chul Nam
Zipping over to Black Combat 16 in Incheon, South Korea, Hyuk Min Ji showed us it’s just as important to put on a show after the fight as it is when making your entrance.
Ji hurt onetime UFC fighter Yui Chul Nam with a pinpoint left, then followed with a head kick and punches and bunches to score the second-round stoppage. He then proceeded to hop the fence and bust a move with the ring girls. Don’t you love when fighters have fun?
Cody Galyean vs. Joe Serna
At a Peak Fighting event in Frisco, Texas, amateur middleweight was spinning and winning on his way to a title win.
So calm, so casual. That’s a dude who’s going to make some money in this business one day.
Steven Orozco vs. Drake Lopez
John Garza vs. Josh Walker
Just down the way in Dallas, Steven Orozco found himself up against sub-.500 fighter Drake Lopez and did what he needed to do.
That uppercut temporarily reshaped Lopez’s face.
John Garza did something similar, but to his opponent’s midsection.
A bodyshot combination put Josh Walker down and then John Garza threw in a pair of soccer kicks, really just utilizing every weapon in his arsenal to shred Walker’s insides.
You can rewatch Fury FC 114 on UFC Fight Pass.
Jonathan Hanes vs. Jackson Hemauer
Urijah Faber vs. Francisco Rivera
And while you’re there, check out the most recent show from Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat, including an appearance from the man himself!
But before we get to that, let’s appreciate Jonathan Hanes’ wicked inverted triangle.
Hanes pulled that submission out of his butt and it wasn’t lost on opponent Jackson Hemauer, who got physical in the aftermath with Hanes shouting in his face. Gentlemen, please!
The main event, of course, saw UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber take on fellow octagon veteran Francisco Rivera in a combat jiu-jitsu match. And guess what? At 46 years young, “The California Kid” has still got it.
He ain’t done either. You can catch Faber in action again soon when he wrestles Henry Cejudo at RAF 6 in Tempe, Ariz., on Feb 28.
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.
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