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.
Yup, the UFC is back Saturday, so now is our last chance to enjoy some quiet reflection before Dana White and co. snatch up their large share of oxygen in the combat sports space.
Or just dig into the clips below and watch some people getting whooped. That works, too.
(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.)
Salhahuddin “Sal” Everett vs. Wesley Drain
Kai Kamaka III vs. Michel Lima
Salhahuddin Everett, I’ll say it now: I was not familiar with your game.
As I’m sure some of you know, Sal here has been making a name for himself with the UFC in more ways than one. Not only is he an aspiring fighter, he’s also a UFC staff member, and the promotion’s social media team has proudly touted his unique career path.
They were extra proud after he scored a four-second knockout of Wesley Drain on Thursday night at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas.
Yup, that’s Uncle Dana, Hunter Campbell, and the rest cheering Everett on. He definitely has the attention of the right people if he’s looking to advance quickly. This was just Everett’s third pro bout, but including his amateur career (all under the Tuff-N-Uff banner) he’s 7-0 and has finished six opponents in the first round.
Even given how quickly talents are signed to compete on Contender Series these days, let’s hope Everett is allowed the opportunity to grow on the regional scene rather than be pushed into that big show audition in 2026. Watch this space.
Thursday’s event also included a fighter who’s been on his grind for years and already fought in the UFC, Kai Kamaka III. It was a good night for him.
Time ticking down, Kamaka stayed patient and found a home for a right hand that dropped Lima for good.
Big shout-out as well to the victorious David Goldenberg, who delivered a completely unhinged post-victory promo roasting Dana White (?!?!?!?!?).
Crazy? Maybe. But so crazy, it just might work!
Tuff-N-Uff 151 is available for replay on UFC Fight Pass.
Avery Wilson vs. Cesar Gutierrez
It’s no secret we love our big boy head kicks, so thanks for this, Avery Wilson.
Making this finish even more amusing is that Wilson goes by the nickname “These Hands.” Sorry, Avery, but that feels like false advertising after watching that. His opponent should sue!
Synergy FC 25 is available for replay with a subscription to Spectation Sports.
Andi Vrtacic vs. Mateusz Gola
Arkadiusz Wrzosek vs. Szymon Bajor
Checking in with a major league promotion that’s already kicked off its 2026 campaign, we had KSW 114 in Radom, Poland, this past weekend.
Wait, did someone say, “kicked off?”
Andi Vrtacic unleashed a goooooorgeous head kick that completely fooled Mateusz Gola and left him flat on the mat.
Less picturesque, but equally effective, Arkadiusz Wrzosek silenced Szymon Bajor with a textbook intercept knee.
Instant impact, instant knockout.
Abbas Abasov vs. Jose Intriago
Checking in with the fine folks at LFA, we had Abbas Abasov tearing into Jose Intriago, delivering a slick combo that was capped off by a brutal head kick.
He just keeps Intriago on the back foot the whole time and when Intriago thought he saw a spot of daylight, his hopes were quickly eclipsed.
Don’t forget LFA events (including LFA 225 tonight) now air live on Vice TV.
Takaya Suzuki vs. Antonio Figueiredo
Tevin Sandoz vs. George Quirie
Paris Moran vs. German Orpineda
Artur Minev vs. Derek Campos
Fury FC, though? Still a click away on UFC Fight Pass.
Japan’s Takaya Suzuki turned 21 this past September, and in his Fury FC debut he did this:
This wasn’t Suzuki’s U.S. debut (he scored a knockout win at an XFC event in Florida in April), but this his first title, as his rocking second-round finish of the previously undefeated Antonio Figueiredo earned him a Fury FC flyweight championship.
That’s seven straight wins now for Suzuki following a loss in his pro debut in 2022.
The stakes were considerably lower in Tevin Sandoz’s amateur clash with George Quirie, but Sandoz definitely made a case for having stolen the show.
Sandoz had Quirie flinching badly off of his jab and that gave him the confidence to put plenty of juice into that speedy right hand. And down Quirie went.
This next one I had to watch a few times to fully appreciate.
Initially, I thought Paris Moran caught German Orpineda with a short left, but it was actually a standing elbow. Orpineda’s reaction to eating a shot like that is understandable.
Lastly, we both congratulate Artur Minev on an impressive performance and wish happy trails to longtime Bellator veteran Derek Campos.
Minev repeatedly tested Campos’ chin-a chin that had 33 fights on the odometer-and eventually cracked him with a sharp left hook. Make that six finishes in seven pro bouts for the undefeated Ukrainian.
As for Campos (20-14), the 37-year-old was a workhorse during his time with Bellator, having shared the cage with some of the best, including Michael Chandler, A.J. McKee, and Patricky Pitbull, but just never quite making it over that hump. His most recent loss made it five straight dating back to 2019, so it feels like he’s making the right call hanging up the gloves.
In all likelihood, Campos continues to dabble in the combat sports realm but, for now at least, he’s done with the grueling MMA grind.
And in case you missed it, check out the truly bizarre refereeing that happened at Fury FC 113 when a fighter was knocked out by a slam… but the bout carried on.
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.
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