Amateur MMA isn’t often featured in the report but we decided to make an exception. The ‘poor, nasty, brutish and [hopefully] short’ phase of the sport is more often than not an eyesore so any chance to balance out the universe should be taken.
Someone working to that end is amateur flyweight Mike Pantangco. While dominating fellow amateur Jeremy Rasner in Michigan’s ‘Prison City Fight League’ on Mar. 29, Pantangco, a Bible camp counselor originally hailing from the Philippines, decided to forfeit the bout rather than see his opponent absorb any further damage. Ruled a win for Rasner via TKO (Retirement), the bout came to close in the final seconds of the first, three-minute round.
“I just feel that there’s no point fighting him because he didn’t train against me and I didn’t train for him and I just feel like we’re amateur fighters,” Pantangco told Inside MMA. “We don’t get money. We don’t get paid and I know that the only thing I’m going to finish him to go in the hospital or get hurt. I just feel terrible so I’m just going to give him the win.”
The selfless act comes just a year removed from the death of another amateur competing in Michigan, a state where unregulated amateur MMA still flourishes.
See below for Pantangco’s segment on Inside MMA. Click here to see the entire fight.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘A breath of fresh air.’ Urijah Faber doesn’t sound heartbroken to see Duane Ludwig leave Team Alpha Male.
‘Misunderstanding.’ Renzo Gracie releases a statement hoping to clear up his recent arrest in New York City.
One away. Daniel Cormier says stopping Dan Henderson at UFC 173 would do more than enough to lock up a title shot. ‘I’d prefer for this to be the fight that gets me a championship fight.’
Unsure. Anderson Silva now says he may not ‘be in the mood’ to finish out the remaining eight fights on his UFC contract.
Sticky. MMA managers are frustrated by Bellator’s creative contractual legalese and various extension clauses. ”They are the worst contracts in MMA. By far the very f**king worst.’
MEDIA STEW
Two episodes of UFC Embedded.
Finally, some actual gameplay. Thoughts?
King Mo bringing the realness.
#whitepass
Nice spotlight on T.J. Dillashaw.
Nick Diaz explains how he would have handled himself in the Shogun robbery scenario.
Long watches.
How to Be a Loser: Rich Franklin at TEDxUChicago 2014
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UFC 173 Care/Don’t Care Preview
TWEETS
The old Lawrence Taylor trick, eh?
Just gave @dc_mma a special weigh cut gift. Watch it on tomorrow’s #Embedded episode 4 http://t.co/eq4649zy5D
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) May 21, 2014
Congrats.
Learning how to make an entrance from the best #expendables3 #cannes #tanksbeatlimos http://t.co/SoeHdE0QHF
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) May 21, 2014
Wore my half of the championship belt to the beach like a G #Iaintgotnoworries #DoingMyOwnThing #howyoulikemenow pic.twitter.com/HkQTKF9sZJ
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) May 20, 2014
AHH!! I made it into @MaximMag‘s 2014 #MaximHot100! Thank you all 4 voting me in!! I am so thankful! http://t.co/lLb9Ofaw0N
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) May 20, 2014
I am very glad that Dana responded to my plea to get rid of our issues the fighters &fans deserve better than the two of us slinging mud
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) May 21, 2014
With the guy from Jurassic Park. http://t.co/fpUg6aNh19
— Patrick Williams (@IAMTHEANIMAL) May 20, 2014
Looking good.
Bringing out my inner Mexican coaching the Ultimate Fighter show Latin American with @cainmma in… http://t.co/QVSXc7i1Oq
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) May 20, 2014
#TUFLatinoamérica #TeamVelasquez Aqui con mi equipo . Here with my team. pic.twitter.com/jpcNT4aA53
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) May 20, 2014
Potato king.
On my way to pick up some bread and some tea-bags. #KingCripSambo pic.twitter.com/V0RV6ievz8
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 20, 2014
The King has chosen @King_Crisps as the official crisp of 2014!!! #KingNotorious MAKE IT SUPERIOR WITH KING: http://t.co/xKTSj2DqIu
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 20, 2014
Hover hands from GSP?
My friend @Crissangel took me out last night for my birthday. We had a blast! http://t.co/EdSaNe6eM5
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) May 20, 2014
Another Matt Brown callout.
Never fought a Former Champion or a top 10 guy and getting all the hype not impress by you @IamTheImmortal @ufc
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) May 21, 2014
More Rampage trolling.
Had 2 post this one so all the haters know I don’t give a damn about what they talking.. Haha I’m… http://t.co/goOAKrQdD3
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) May 20, 2014
Overtraining.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (May 20 2014)
Rani Yahya out, Johnny Bedford vs. Cody Gibson at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
cancelled Lynn Alvarez vs. Sofia Bagherdai at WSOF 10
Dashon Johnson vs. Jake Matthews at UFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs. Marquardt
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Everything You NEED to Know About UFC 173 Fight Pass Prelims
I do the best I can to not lie to my loyal readers. Both of you have to be my favorite people that I’ve never met. But there is a reason that these are referred to as predictions. But I feel very safe in saying that these Fight Pass fights are going to be worth watching. I don’t think you’ll find a future champion in them… but you should find some highlight reel quality finishes. If I’m wrong then shoot me… you just gotta find where I live first…
Anthony Njokuani (16-7, 1 NC) vs. Vinc Pichel (8-1), Lightweight
Story Thus Far: Njokuani is a 13 fight WEC/UFC veteran who flies underneath the radar of the casual fan. Its kind of a shame. He won’t ever contend for the title, but he is a fun striker to watch and a great gatekeeper for the younger up-and-coming fighters. Its been over a year since he last fought, so he is coming off of a long layoff.
Pichel took more than a year off himself after his first official UFC fight, but you can’t blame him when he became known as the guy that Rustam Khabilov dumped on his head multiple times. He came back this past January and pulled out a workman-like victory over Garett Whiteley. Not exactly a name opponent, but ya gotta start somewhere.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.