Tag: amateur mma

[VIDEO] MMA Fighter Taps Out Rather Than Continue Hurting His Opponent — Inspirational or Cowardly?

(Via AXS TV.)

We’ve discussed at length the “go out on your shield” mentality that permeates MMA (and all combat sports, truly) and its toxic relationship with the sport’s quest for mainstream appeal. While we all know that MMA fighters are grown-ass men and women who are fully capable of protecting themselves — and that the decision to allow a fight to continue rests firmly on the shoulders of the losing fighter, his/her corner, and the presiding referee — there have been multiple instances in the recent past where all three of these parties have failed miserably to do so. Call it pride, or incompetence, or whatever you will.

But what should we make of it when a losing fighter’s *opponent* voluntarily gives up to spare him from a further beating?

That’s precisely the issue being raised by an amateur fight between Mike Pantangco and Jeremy Rasner that transpired at a Prison Fight League event, ironically, last week. Uncovered by the folks at Inside MMA and posted on r/MMA earlier today, Pantangco vs. Rasner might feature the strangest end to an MMA fight we’ve seen since the Leg Tap Death Touch.

You see, Pantangco was thoroughly outclassing his opponent that night, battering Rasner on the feet throughout the first round of their flyweight tilt. It got so bad at one point, apparently, that rather than continue teeing off on his game but overmatched opponent, Pantangco opted to tap out and grant Rasner the victory. A bizarre choice to say the least, and one that begs the question: Is there such a thing as *too much* sportsmanship in MMA?


(Via AXS TV.)

We’ve discussed at length the “go out on your shield” mentality that permeates MMA (and all combat sports, truly) and its toxic relationship with the sport’s quest for mainstream appeal. While we all know that MMA fighters are grown-ass men and women who are fully capable of protecting themselves — and that the decision to allow a fight to continue rests firmly on the shoulders of the losing fighter, his/her corner, and the presiding referee — there have been multiple instances in the recent past where all three of these parties have failed miserably to do so. Call it pride, or incompetence, or whatever you will.

But what should we make of it when a losing fighter’s *opponent* voluntarily gives up to spare him from a further beating?

That’s precisely the issue being raised by an amateur fight between Mike Pantangco and Jeremy Rasner that transpired at a Prison Fight League event, ironically, last week. Uncovered by the folks at Inside MMA and posted on r/MMA earlier today, Pantangco vs. Rasner might feature the strangest end to an MMA fight we’ve seen since the Leg Tap Death Touch.

You see, Pantangco was thoroughly outclassing his opponent that night, battering Rasner on the feet throughout the first round of their flyweight tilt. It got so bad at one point, apparently, that rather than continue teeing off on his game but overmatched opponent, Pantangco opted to tap out and grant Rasner the victory. A bizarre choice to say the least, and one that begs the question: Is there such a thing as *too much* sportsmanship in MMA?

Pantangco later explained the reasoning behind his forfeit in an interview with Inside MMA:

I just feel that there’s no point in 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. We don’t get money. We don’t paid. And I know that the only [way] I’m going to finish the fight is [for] him to go to the hospital or get hurt. I just feel terrible so I’m just going to give him the win. 

Some fans are calling Pantangco’s act of mercy the ultimate embodiment of the respect that all fighters are supposed to have, while others are asking why he couldn’t have simply submitted Rasner rather than continue punishing him on the feet, sparing him a trip to the hospital and only temporary pain in the process.

It’s an interesting debate, to say the least; while it’s hard to fault Pantangco’s selfless act in theory, especially in an era where we trash a fighter for not immediately recognizing/backing off when his opponent is unconscious or defenseless, it’s even harder to believe that being an overly compassionate person can do anything but work against you in a sport as inherently violent as MMA. Guys like Lyoto Machida have become notorious for their self-control in delivering follow up punches to a clearly unconscious opponent, but Machida also typically saves his self-control until after his opponent is unconscious, or at the very least, not walking towards him with their hands raised.

As an MMA fighter, Pantangco probably shouldn’t be afraid to hurt his opponent, no matter what level they are competing at. You don’t see many professional swimmers who are afraid to step in the pool (unless you’re Matt Serra, in which case you’ve seen at least one), or hockey players with aspirations of becoming a professional model, etc. And by giving up, Pantangco essentially robbed his opponent of a chance at a true victory, and the audience of a fight they paid good (decent) money to watch. They had only fought for one round, after all, and we guarantee that Rasner (and most MMA fighters) wouldn’t be afraid to hurt Pantangco had the tables been turned.

But what do you think, Nation? Should Pantangco be applauded for his restraint, or condemned for being too much of a coward to finish what he started? Make your case in the comments section.

–J. Jones

Insane Knockout Double-Feature: A 5-Second Falling Tree KO, And the Most Brutal Liver Kick You Will See All Year

One thing that has always separated CagePotato from our MMA peers — you know, aside from our standing with the UFC, our limited staff, and our “It’s 12 o’clock somewhere” policy in regards to drinking in the office — is our commitment to bringing you readers the greatest knockout videos from across the globe, no matter how rare, unknown, or shoddy the footage itself is. But every now and again, you guys repay the favor and drop something like the above gem in our mailbox. It almost melts the ice from our cold, dead hearts to know you guys actually care. Almost. 

In this case, CP reader Rob Fernandes passed along a video of an amatuer bout between Ian “The Korean” Park and Jose Jovel with the subject title “Awesome 5 second KO” and a description that read “I’m sure fans wouldn’t mind seeing a semi out of shape welterweight Frankenstein his opponent.” Naturally, we felt compelled to pay it forward, so check it out and let us know what you think of Jose’s jandiwork (see what I did there?).

Of course, this wasn’t the only vicious knockout to be shared with us recently, so join us after the jump for a video of the most vicious liver kick KO since McCarthy vs. Loiseau.

One thing that has always separated CagePotato from our MMA peers — you know, aside from our standing with the UFC, our limited staff, and our “It’s 12 o’clock somewhere” policy in regards to drinking in the office — is our commitment to bringing you readers the greatest knockout videos from across the globe, no matter how rare, unknown, or shoddy the footage itself is. But every now and again, you guys repay the favor and drop something like the above gem in our mailbox. It almost melts the ice from our cold, dead hearts to know you guys actually care. Almost. 

In this case, CP reader Rob Fernandes passed along a video of an amatuer bout between Ian “The Korean” Park and Jose Jovel with the subject title “Awesome 5 second KO” and a description that read “I’m sure fans wouldn’t mind seeing a semi out of shape welterweight Frankenstein his opponent.” Naturally, we felt compelled to pay it forward, so check it out and let us know what you think of Jose’s jandiwork (see what I did there?).

Of course, this wasn’t the only vicious knockout to be shared with us recently, so join us after the jump for a video of the most vicious liver kick KO since McCarthy vs. Loiseau.

Although this fight apparently transpired at the Open Cup semifinal in Moscow last January, the video was uploaded just a couple of weeks ago. We have no idea who either fighter is, but judging by how long it took the dude in the blue shorts to get to his feet, we’re going to assume that he has yet to step back into the cage (ring) since. Like we said, unknown and rare is what we do.

–J. Jones

[VIDEO] Ronda Rousey’s Training Partner/Bestie Scored Another First Round Sub Over the Weekend and it Wasn’t an Armbar


(Classic Marina, always having to one up her big shot BFF.) 

If you tuned into The Ultimate Fighter at all this season (which judging by the ratings, you probably didn’t), you might have noticed the brooding brunette oft seen standing at Ronda Rousey‘s side, assisting her in training demonstrations, flipping off Miesha Tate, and other such shenanigans. Her name is Marina Shafir, and aside from being Rousey’s longtime training partner/B.F.F, she’s also an undefeated amateur MMA fighter who had secured three straight wins via first round armbar (sound familiar?).

That was of course, until last weekend, when Shafir captured the Tuff-n-Uff women’s featherweight title via a first round submission of Tabitha Patterson at the aptly titled “Future Stars of MMA.” The victory was Shafir’s second in a row to come at the 59 second mark, but in the interest of providing you with some motivation to view the fight video after the jump, we will leave the technique with which Shafir secured said victory up in the air.


(Classic Marina, always having to one up her big shot BFF.) 

If you tuned into The Ultimate Fighter at all this season (which judging by the ratings, you probably didn’t), you might have noticed the brooding brunette oft seen standing at Ronda Rousey‘s side, assisting her in training demonstrations, flipping off Miesha Tate, and other such shenanigans. Her name is Marina Shafir, and aside from being Rousey’s longtime training partner/B.F.F, she’s also an undefeated amateur MMA fighter who had secured three straight wins via first round armbar (sound familiar?).

That was of course, until last weekend, when Shafir captured the Tuff-n-Uff women’s featherweight title via a first round submission of Tabitha Patterson at the aptly titled “Future Stars of MMA.” The victory was Shafir’s second in a row to come at the 59 second mark, but in the interest of providing you with some motivation to view the fight video after the jump, we will leave the technique with which Shafir secured said victory up in the air.

As you can see, Shafir’s standup is unpolished at best, but the woman’s ground game is as overwhelming and vicious as her fellow judoka’s. Just look at how she forced that arm triangle into existence from the moment she pushed Patterson against the cage. As is always the case with Rousey’s opponents, Patterson knew what was coming, and she still couldn’t stop it.

Now that I think of it, the whole finishing sequence reminds me of the harrowing 2008 documentary, Dawn of the Dead. While trapped in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, Sir Ving Rhames declares that ”There are things worse than death, and one of them is sitting here waiting to die.” That’s how I imagine what it must be like to fight Rousey, and to a lesser extent, Shafir. You sign up for the fight, clinging to the hope that you will somehow achieve the impossible, yet ultimately knowing that it can only end in you wiping your ass with the other hand. That, my friends, is worse than death.

–J. Jones

[VIDEO] Badass Flying-Spinning Heel Kick to Armbar Finish is Badass

(Video via Severe MMA.)

Major props to FightersOnly for passing along this insane video of a flying-spinning — or truthfully, a falling-spinning — heel kick to armbar finish from last weekend’s Clan Wars 17 event. All credit for the combo goes to amateur bantamweight Carl McNally, who improved to 5-0 (all finishes) with the sick sub.

According to his post-fight interview, McNally will now fight in the bantamweight finals of the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Federation trials against a TBD opponent, with the winner receiving a chance to fight in Las Vegas next year. A chance that McNally claims he would rather blow on a weekend of “cocaine and strippers.” Don’t worry, he makes sure to extend an invite to the post-fight interviewer, but only as long as the kid is cool with taking the bottom bunk.

The Irish seem like pretty fun people, if you ask me.

–J. Jones


(Video via Severe MMA.)

Major props to FightersOnly for passing along this insane video of a flying-spinning — or truthfully, a falling-spinning — heel kick to armbar finish from last weekend’s Clan Wars 17 event. All credit for the combo goes to amateur bantamweight Carl McNally, who improved to 5-0 (all finishes) with the sick sub.

According to his post-fight interview, McNally will now fight in the bantamweight finals of the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Federation trials against a TBD opponent, with the winner receiving a chance to fight in Las Vegas next year. A chance that McNally claims he would rather blow on a weekend of “cocaine and strippers.” Don’t worry, he makes sure to extend an invite to the post-fight interviewer, but only as long as the kid is cool with taking the bottom bunk.

The Irish seem like pretty fun people, if you ask me.

–J. Jones

[VIDEO] The ‘Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez’ of Amateur MMA Fights

I’m not sure where or how I stumbled across this video last night, because the life of a drunkblogger is one filled with empty memories (also: shame), but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the greatest amatuer fight I have ever seen. That it takes place in one of those smaller weight classes where nothing exciting ever happens is just the icing on the cake.

What you need to know: Our fighters are Ashley Reece and Martin Chester. The event is Full Contact Contender 8. Chester is the guy that looks “more British.” He is also the promotion’s lightweight champion. Ashley is a girl’s name.

There’s something in the water at 155 pounds, you guys. Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler fight like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Rustam Khabilov be throwing spinning shit, and now this happens. Next thing you know, these crazy lightweight fuckers will be jumping off the cage and ninja-kicking other dudes in the face.

–J. Jones

I’m not sure where or how I stumbled across this video last night, because the life of a drunkblogger is one filled with empty memories (also: shame), but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the greatest amatuer fight I have ever seen. That it takes place in one of those smaller weight classes where nothing exciting ever happens is just the icing on the cake.

What you need to know: Our fighters are Ashley Reece and Martin Chester. The event is Full Contact Contender 8. Chester is the guy that looks “more British.” He is also the promotion’s lightweight champion. Ashley is a girl’s name.

There’s something in the water at 155 pounds, you guys. Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler fight like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Rustam Khabilov be throwing spinning shit, and now this happens. Next thing you know, these crazy lightweight fuckers will be jumping off the cage and ninja-kicking other dudes in the face.

–J. Jones

Man Dies After Competing in Unregulated Michigan MMA Event


Photo of Felix Pablo Elochukwu via BloodyElbow

Thirty Five year-old Felix Pablo Elochukwu died Saturday night in Michigan after fighting in the AFC Unleash the Beast event. Elochukwu lost his fight via third round stoppage and soon collapsed while sitting on a chair, according to Sports Net. Despite being tended to by paramedics and being taken to a hospital, Elochukwu died shortly after.

Sometime in the third round, Elochukwu was mounted and was not intelligently defending what were deemed to be soft hammer fists. The referee made the decision to halt the bout, potentially believing that Pablo was not going to be able to improve the position he was in.

“Elochukwu appeared to be fine during the announcement of the final decision and walked away on his own accord, albeit, with some assistance to ensure the fatigued fighter could make it to a seat.

When he did sit down, those around him noticed something was wrong and offered him some orange juice, believing his blood sugar may have dropped significantly. He then fell off the chair, where paramedics were called in to assist.

They showed up within minutes and apparently revived him, but took him away to be safe, likely to the nearest hospital. Shortly thereafter, Elochukwu passed away, and it is currently unknown if he did so en route to the hospital, or at the medical facility,” SportsNet reports.


Photo of Felix Pablo Elochukwu via BloodyElbow

Thirty Five year-old Felix Pablo Elochukwu died Saturday night in Michigan after fighting in the AFC Unleash the Beast event. Elochukwu lost his fight via third round stoppage and soon collapsed while sitting on a chair, according to Sports Net. Despite being tended to by paramedics and being taken to a hospital, Elochukwu died shortly after.

Sometime in the third round, Elochukwu was mounted and was not intelligently defending what were deemed to be soft hammer fists. The referee made the decision to halt the bout, potentially believing that Pablo was not going to be able to improve the position he was in.

“Elochukwu appeared to be fine during the announcement of the final decision and walked away on his own accord, albeit, with some assistance to ensure the fatigued fighter could make it to a seat.

When he did sit down, those around him noticed something was wrong and offered him some orange juice, believing his blood sugar may have dropped significantly. He then fell off the chair, where paramedics were called in to assist.

They showed up within minutes and apparently revived him, but took him away to be safe, likely to the nearest hospital. Shortly thereafter, Elochukwu passed away, and it is currently unknown if he did so en route to the hospital, or at the medical facility,” SportsNet reports.

According to Bloody Elbow, an autopsy performed on Elochukwu Monday did not present a clear cause of death, either, adding to the mystery of this tragedy. The most important thing that can be said at a time like this is simply that it is sad that Elochukwu lost his life and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones in what must be a confusing and horrible time.

It will be important for the health of the sport of MMA that we all continue to pay attention to this sad case and others like it as more information is made available, however. Michigan is one of the many states where MMA is legal but goes unregulated. In cases like that, rules, medical staffing and just about everything else usually governed and taken care of by a state athletic commission, is left entirely up to promoters.

Did Elochukwu have a pre-existing condition that made athletic competition more dangerous than usual for him? Could the types of pre-fight screenings required by regulated events have helped bring such a condition to light? Was the matchmaking – another facet of MMA that is approved or not by athletic commissions for regulated fights – fair or did it leave Elochukwu exposed to needless danger?

Was the refereeing adequate? Was the medical attention and care he received at this unregulated event as good as it would have been at a regulated event and could that have made a difference?

We don’t yet know but these are the types of questions that need to be brought up as the sport grows and moves forward. One of the greatest things about MMA is it’s accessibility and the few barriers to entry for competitors. Just about all major champions began their careers in organizations and events not unlike the one held Saturday night in Port Huron, MI.

Is it time, however, for us to reject MMA competitions in places where it won’t be properly regulated? There are good arguments on all sides. What do you think, nation?