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.
It’s pretty cool seeing the previous generations’ stars staying involved in the game, especially when it comes to attaching their names to a promotion. Urijah Faber, Anthony Pettis, Jorge Masvidal heck, even Alexander Shlemenko are just a few names that come to mind when I think of fighters that are helping provide a platform for aspiring martial artists across the globe.
Flying under the radar is Dan Henderson’s “Hendo’s Fight Night” series, which earns our headlining spot thanks to a stunning knockout courtesy of amateur light heavyweight Bryce De Camargo.
(Big thanks as always to @Barrelelapierna for their weekly lists of the best KOs, 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.)
Bryce De Camargo vs. Michael Salazar
De Camargo’s matchup with Michael Salzar was one of the featured bouts on the card and it definitely didn’t disappoint, at least if you were looking for a conclusive knockout. Because this is as conclusive as it gets.
Keep in mind, this was an amateur bout with three two-minute rounds, so there was less time for De Camargo and Salazar to work. That probably motivated De Carmago to get busy fast and boy did he, just splattering Salazar with an uppercut that would make Hendo proud.
And hey, if you’re ever in Temecula, Calif., head down to Hendo’s Barrel House before hitting his gym to catch the show, seems like a fun time!
Or you can catch Hendo’s Fight Night events on pay-per-view on Combat Sports Now.
Riddle me this: You’re familiar with can-crushing in MMA… but have you ever seen a Can do the crushing?
At Vendetta Fight Nights 49 in Ankara, Turkey, Emir Can stood in the pocket with Baran Labak and traded shots until one of them went down. In this instance, Labak.
This was Can’s second pro fight and Labak’s first, which you can probably tell, because this was two dudes throwing with the kind of disregard for their own safety that only exists in the hearts of men with nothing to lose.
Naertai Kezibayi vs. Hubulan Tuerxunbieke
It’s been a while since I’ve handed out a I Want You To Want Me, I Kneed You To Kneed Me award and, well, it’s time to bring it back.
Naertai Kezibayi went double tap on the high knee and both times Hubulan Tuerxunbieke took it square on the chin. Shockingly, he did not recover from the second one.
A well-deserved trophy for you, Mr. Kezibayi.
Watch full fights from Jue Cheng King Fight Night on their YouTube.
Bartosz Kowalczyk vs. Szymon Maj
Some dudes are just too tough for their own good. Szymon Maj, we respect you, man, but it’s OK to just turtle up and live to fight another day.
And Bartosz Kowalczyk, you did what you had to do.
At a Fight Exclusive Night 61 in Kielce, Poland, Kowalczyk delivered an absolute battering to Maj, capped off by a 1-2 that knocked Maj completely silly. He was a freight train in that finishing sequence.
Marcos Degli vs. Luis Aguiar
Bianca Basilio vs. Jessica Oliveira
The LFA continues to chug along—now on Vice TV, remember!—with its latest show in Brasilia, Brazil, where Marcos Degli recorded his second consecutive successful interim flyweight title defense with a crushing body shot on Luis Aguiar.
At 25 and with a dozen straight wins under his belt, the time might be now for Degli to get a look from the UFC.
Flyweight Bianca Basilio probably needs more seasoning after beating Jessica Oliveira in her pro MMA debut before getting any major league opportunities, but the decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist will be just fine at the regional level if this gorgeous armbar is any indication.
Two seconds left in the first round, Basilio went all in for the finish, making sure Oliviera wasn’t going to have any chance at a comeback.
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.
Subscribe to my channel
