Classic Fight of the Day: Bubba McDaniel vs. Alexander Shlemenko Ends in Buzzer-Beater Flying Knee, Confused Referee

(The shark vs. the fishing net. Brilliant analogy, you guys.)

Reddit_MMA user alphahouse44 dug up this old clip of Alexander Shlemenko and Robert “Bubba” McDaniel‘s fight at ShoXC 9 back in October 2008, and it’s a must-see for fans of flying knees to the body and barely-competant regional referees. At the time, Shlemenko was already a well-traveled 28-5 veteran who was making his U.S. debut that night, and McDaniel was an 11-4 prospect coming off a quick win over Kale Hose four months prior.

Bubba takes control of the fight early, dragging Shlemenko to the mat and smashing him with body shots from the top. He’s tenacious in his efforts to stay body-to-body with the Russian striker, and secures back mount on multiple occasions in the second half of the first round. With about 20 seconds left, Shlemenko escapes to his feet, whiffs on a spinning backfist, but finds his mark with a jumping knee to McDaniel’s chest. Bubba crumples to the mat in agony, and the bell sounds for the end of the round.

Since Bubba can’t continue, it should clearly be ruled a TKO, right? Unfortunately, the ref is legally blind, and thought the knee landed to McDaniel’s groin. (Skip to the 7:04 mark for a replay of the strike in question.) Bubba’s own cornermen clear up what really happened, and the referee wanders around aimlessly for a moment before finally calling the fight off.

Shlemenko would go on to become the middleweight champion of Bellator, while McDaniel would go on to make tons of new fans on TUF 17. Ah, we kid with Bubba because we love him.


(The shark vs. the fishing net. Brilliant analogy, you guys.)

Reddit_MMA user alphahouse44 dug up this old clip of Alexander Shlemenko and Robert “Bubba” McDaniel‘s fight at ShoXC 9 back in October 2008, and it’s a must-see for fans of flying knees to the body and barely-competant regional referees. At the time, Shlemenko was already a well-traveled 28-5 veteran who was making his U.S. debut that night, and McDaniel was an 11-4 prospect coming off a quick win over Kale Hose four months prior.

Bubba takes control of the fight early, dragging Shlemenko to the mat and smashing him with body shots from the top. He’s tenacious in his efforts to stay body-to-body with the Russian striker, and secures back mount on multiple occasions in the second half of the first round. With about 20 seconds left, Shlemenko escapes to his feet, whiffs on a spinning backfist, but finds his mark with a jumping knee to McDaniel’s chest. Bubba crumples to the mat in agony, and the bell sounds for the end of the round.

Since Bubba can’t continue, it should clearly be ruled a TKO, right? Unfortunately, the ref is legally blind, and thought the knee landed to McDaniel’s groin. (Skip to the 7:04 mark for a replay of the strike in question.) Bubba’s own cornermen clear up what really happened, and the referee wanders around aimlessly for a moment before finally calling the fight off.

Shlemenko would go on to become the middleweight champion of Bellator, while McDaniel would go on to make tons of new fans on TUF 17. Ah, we kid with Bubba because we love him.