Missed Fists: Manolis Kallistis connects with explosive rolling thunder kick knockout

Welcome to the most recent version of Missed Fists the place we shine a lightweight on fights from throughout the globe that will have been missed in these hectic occasions the place it looks as if there’s an MMA present each different day.

Last week, I lamented that it felt like the remainder of the fight sports activities world was off to a sluggish begin even with the UFC’s return and Bellator about to kick off 2023 with one among its greatest playing cards in ages. We’re nonetheless lacking out on some main weirdness (and if I simply haven’t seen it, let me know, my DMs are open particularly for weird MMA issues), however I’m happy to inform you that this week we’ve got an abundance of highlight-reel finishes to savor.

If something, it’s an overabundance, as any one among our first 4 clips might have led the present. I’ll allow you to determine if we picked the fitting winner.

(Huge thanks as all the time to @Barrelelapierna for his or her weekly lists of the perfect KOs and submissions, and to @Grabaka_Hitman for importing most of the clips you see right here. Give them a observe and chip in on Patreon when you can.)

Manolis Kallistis vs. Juan Gonzalez

Anytime somebody efficiently lands a rolling thunder kick, they’re going to have a *ahem* leg up on the competitors and that rule stands for Manolis Kallistis who executed a great thing about a strike at a Fairtex Struggle occasion in Bangkok (free replay obtainable on YouTube).

I’ve to provide Kallistis credit score for the kick mixture that set this up because it regarded prefer it was simply sufficient to maintain Juan Gonzalez guessing and when it got here time to defend towards the precise risk, Gonzalez guessed mistaken. Method mistaken. Watch his left hand drop as he tilts to his proper to keep away from what he thinks is coming, leaving his chin extensive open.

I don’t know what’s occurring with the English commentary, however fortunately Caposa was proper on prime of this example and uploaded the Thai aspect.

A lot better.

Nabi Nabiev

Usually, if I can’t dig up essentially the most fundamental details about a spotlight (like, say, one of many fighter’s names or what a promotion’s initials stand for) I’m reluctant to put up it, however Nabi Nabiev’s completely timed spin kick knockout from KFL 7 was too good to not embrace right here.

Right here’s an alternate angle from Nabiev’s Instagram.

We’ve seen physique kicks flip into head shot KOs when a takedown try goes horribly mistaken earlier than, however this needs to be probably the greatest/worst circumstances of that situation that I’ve ever seen.

Bekzhan Matysaev vs. Ali Mashrapov

You need to understand how stacked this week was? Bekzhan Matysaev received through teepee choke and he’s in our second-runner up spot. A teepee choke!

In response to Tapology, that is marked down as a triangle, however that’s undoubtedly a teepee grip and leg positioning. And a teepee is known as a triangle variation, so I suppose you’re not mistaken both approach. However I digress.

Matysaev and Ali Mashrapov battled for a vacant World Ertaymash Federation light-weight title (free replay of this occasion obtainable on YouTube), so not solely did Matysaev crown himself, he did so in fashion. That’s three straight submission wins now for the Kyrgyz fighter and 5 straight finishes. In truth, all of his wins have come within the second spherical or earlier. He’s right here for a great time, not a very long time.

Joe Perez vs. Drew Lopez
Mark Salinas vs. Nathan Sarpong
Josh Walker vs. Eddie Fraire

Joe Perez simply eliminated a person’s face along with his foot and we’re solely mentioning him now? Theft!

The Fury FC 73 prelims featured amateurs in motion, which is how we ended up with this unimaginable knockout as Perez and Drew Lopez simply went hammer and tongs seeking to depart an impression on the San Antonio crowd. Properly, Perez left an impression on Lopez’s face and Lopez left an impression on the mat, so I suppose in a approach they have been each profitable?

What do you assume? Ought to Perez have been the Missed Fists lead this week? Vote within the ballot on the finish, please.

Additionally on the beginner portion of the cardboard (which is offered without cost on YouTube), Mark Salinas scored 13-second knockout of Nathan Sarpong.

Swinging proper off of the glove contact. A little bit difficult, however nonetheless honest play.

In the principle occasion of the Fury FC 73 (obtainable on UFC Fight Pass), Josh Walker confirmed how the professionals get it executed with a fiery flurry ignited by a leaping knee.

Referee in all probability might have stepped in a few seconds sooner there. Walker made certain to maintain the foot on the pedal although, incomes him the primary end of his seven-fight profession.

At BKFC 35 this previous weekend, MMA veteran Marcus Brimage made his second bare-knuckle boxing look and was despatched packing by Trevor Loken.

Brimage got here in throwing arms freely as all the time, however after 40 seconds he was overwhelmed by the heavy-fisted Loken. This was Loken’s first professional struggle of any form after going 5-0 as an beginner in MMA.

As for Brimage, he stays one of many enterprise’ most intriguing journeymen, having been the primary UFC opponent of future stars Conor McGregor and Cody Garbrandt in addition to one of many standout fighters of a Final Fighter 14 forged that included T.J. Dillashaw, John Dodson, Dennis Bermudez, and Bryan Caraway. Plus he has that Dragon Ball Scouter factor going. Generally it’s cool to simply be a part of historical past.

Gabriel Santos vs. Jose Delano
Julia Polastri vs. Brenda Gottig
Jonas Bilharinho vs. Caio Machado

Going again to UFC Struggle Go for LFA 151, there was a ton of motion to recap because the promotion took a visit to Brazil this previous Saturday.

In the principle occasion, Gabriel Santos took out Jose Delano with a nasty physique shot to enhance to 10-0.

“Mosquitinho” simply turned 26 this previous November and is now 2-0 within the LFA cage with two finishes. One other title to observe at 145 kilos.

Julia Polastri received a vacant LFA strawweight title within the co-main occasion with this relentless arm-triangle submission of Brenda Gottig.

That’s three straight wins for Polastri since shedding a call on Dana White’s Contender Collection to Jasmine Jasudavicius, who earned a UFC contract off of her efficiency. The observe file of LFA ladies’s champions getting signed to the UFC is robust, so search for Polastri to hitch Jasudavicius on the roster quickly.

Talking of Contender Collection misses, Jonas Bilharinho was additionally in motion at LFA 151 and he notched a second straight win with a physique kick of Caio Machado.

In contrast to Polastri, Bilharinho received his Contender Collection struggle, however he wasn’t signed after he scored a highlight-reel knockout following an uneven outing. The Jose Aldo affiliate and Conor McGregor fight-a-like called the missed opportunity “beautiful” at the time as a result of outpouring of reward he acquired afterwards.

Is that this the 12 months Bilharinho will get that UFC name?

If you realize of a current struggle or occasion that you simply assume could have been missed, or a promotion that might use some consideration, please tell us on Twitter — @AlexanderKLee — utilizing the hashtag #MissedFists.