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.
With the UFC done for 2024, the door is wide open for other promotions to have some shine and they didn’t disappoint this past week.
From the usual fiesta of finishes to the outlaw edges of the business—we’ll get to that shortly—the past few days have given us plenty of highlights to enjoy as we approach the new year.
To the victors, and to their fallen foes, we salute you.
(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.)
Farid Yadullaev vs. Artur Kulinskiy
Sometimes, when you gotta go, you gotta go.
“I had to get it on, man. He was making a move. I had to get it on.”
I’ll be the first to tell you Russian promotion Hardcore MMA’s shenanigans should be taken lightly as pre- and post-fight brawls are more the rule than the exception with these guys, but this was too ridiculous to ignore. Whether it’s because the drama is manufactured or just highly encouraged and enabled, you’re guaranteed to see something crazy happen and this time it was Artur Kulinskiy’s turn to deliver.
Whatever the beef is between Kulinskiy and opponent Farid Yadullaev, it is apparently juicy enough for Kulinskiy to say “f*ck it” and rush Yadullaev before the fighter introductions had even wrapped. Have to respect the very classy Leslie Chow homage to start, too.
Kulinskiy didn’t come close to landing anything and the fight was subsequently canceled, so in the end, definitely not worth it.
His glove also seemed to be halfway off as it went flying as soon as he threw that wild punch. This was truly a confusing situation all around.
Kulinskiy’s Tapology page paints the picture of a guy who hasn’t been particularly successful in MMA nor bare-knuckle boxing, so it shouldn’t be surprising he’s going the miscreant route to make a name for himself. Well, sir, here’s that attention you ordered.
If you want to check out the whole Hardcore MMA show from Moscow, a free replay is available on Russian video site VK.
Lewis McGrillen vs. Alexander Luster
Patrick Habirora vs. Catalin Safta
Back to the good stuff.
PFL held its grand finale this past November, but it actually had an encore performance with their European branch holding an event in Décines-Charpieu, France, this past Saturday. A couple of names built some serious momentum heading into 2025, namely bantamweight Lewis McGrillen.
This has been a standout year for McGrillen, who was not only one half of arguably the Fight of the Year against Dean Garnett this past September, he capped off this campaign with a beautiful knockout of Alexander Luster to win the PFL Europe 135-pound tournament and a $100,000 prize.
If there’s one thing that could hold McGrillen back, it’s that PFL is yet to host a bantamweight tournament in North America, but with its Europe and MENA squads producing some strong contenders and the division having no shortage of talent across the board, there’s no better time to bring McGrillen stateside.
And you know what? Bring Patrick Habirora, too.
Habirora showed beautiful composure there, letting Catalin Safta charge directly into a counter right that sent him to another dimension. At the moment, Habirora isn’t contracted to PFL (he’s actually already booked for a different promotion in February), but he’d make a fine addition to the lightweight or welterweight roster next season.
Eric Nolan vs. Trevor Gudde
Luke Fernandez vs. Gregg Ellis
At Cage Fury FC 138, Eric Nolan made an argument for nicknominative determinism (yes, I just made that up) as he lived up to “Night Time” in a major way.
Nolan just squared Trevor Gudde up, cracked him, and let gravity do the rest.
Light heavyweight champion Luke Fernandez also had a good one in the main event. Gregg Ellis decided to wander into the path of a rock-hard Fernandez left and then everything went dark.
Cage Fury FC 138 is available for replay on UFC Fight Pass.
John Yannis vs. CJ Jimenez
As is Fury FC 99.
At this show in Houston, John Yannis also evoked his nickname, “Angel,” with this heavenly straight shot down the pipe.
His opponent CJ Jimenez certainly felt the arms (well, fists) of the angel here.
Damon Wilson vs. Ryan Lilley
Johnny Robles vs. James Settle
Rogerio Sobrinho vs. Joao Oliveira
Lucas Caldas vs. Marcos Bruno
Staying locked in to Fight Pass, we have four more delightful knockouts.
At Cage Warriors 182 in San Diego, Damon Wilson put a brutal barrage of knees on poor Ryan Lilley to secure a first-round finish in the main event.
This man wasn’t leaving without a finish.
Earlier on the show, Johnny Robles needed all of 23 seconds to score a one-punch KO of James Settle.
Look, I’m not proud of what I’m about to do, but it has to be done:
SETTLE DOWN!
Over at Shooto Brasil 127 in Rio de Janeiro, we had another knockout punch land in brutal fashion as Rogerio Sobrinho destroyed Joao Oliveira barely a minute into their fight.
If there was an award for Most Unnecessary Hammerfists of 2024, Sobrinho would be at the front of the pack.
Oh, you wanted some more knees? Wilson didn’t give you enough? Hold up, one second.
Lucas Caldas, you got some more knees for us, friend?
Thank you kindly.
Van Y Nghiem vs. Felipe Negochadle
Hopping over to Hanoi, Vietnam, we have Van Y Nghiem just unloading with punches on Felipe Negochadle to claim a featherweight title.
I’m counting at least half-a-dozen hammers landed square on the chin. Pain.
Lion Championship 20 is available for free replay on YouTube.
Dmitriy Tebekin vs. Tiago Cardoso
Let’s wrap this round trip up back in Moscow at an MMA Series Russia event where Dmitriy Tebekin checked off a lot of boxes with a single punch.
Big KO? Check. Mouthpiece flying? Check. Walk off? Check. Tiago Cardoso’s leg doing the Cro Cop? Check.
Man, it was a bad week to be running into other people’s knuckles.
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.
