Missed Fists: Fighter left completely frozen after amazing walk-off knockout punch

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 no UFC action this weekend, now is the perfect time to bask in the glow of highlights from some lesser known promotions and mercy, mercy, me we had some highlights this week.

Starting off with maybe the best walk-off knockout ever.

(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.)

Lucas Corbage vs. Ronald Padilla

I’m not big on the whole AI thing so if someone can help me out, can you ask Grok or ChatGPT or whatever the following question:

“Hey Grok, is there such a thing as a perfect punch?”

Because I’m pretty sure I just saw one.

At FFC 99 in Buenos Aries, Lucas Corbage hit every Xbox achievement with one swing of his right hand, leveling Ronald Padilla with one punch (ding!), sending his mouthpiece flying (ding!), causing him to face-plant (ding!), and then coolly walking off knowing the job was done (ding!). Style points, unlimited.

What’s that? You want another look? Surrrrrrre.

That wasn’t a knockout. That was a spiritual experience for everyone involved.

You can catch a replay of FFC 99 on UFC Fight Pass.

Marc-Philippe Ngatchou vs. Yusuf Nazokatov

And while you’re logged in, check out Cage Warriors 197, where Marc-Philippe Ngatchou (incredible name) landed a gorgeous spinning backfist knockout after some prescient commentary from Brad Wharton.

Sheeeeeeeeit, Ngatchou ass!

Meanwhile, at a Cage Warriors Academy show in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Damian Ori decided he’d had enough of trading punches with Bill Heirwegh and mixed in a head kick for good measure.

Good idea!

Seems a little unsporting, but one of these fighters is going home with his jaw intact, and it’s not Heirwegh.

Reese Watkins vs. Dahlen Wilson

You know what else doesn’t feel right? Head kicking someone half a foot shorter than you.

Reese Watkins showed no respect for our short king Dahlen Wilson, showing off his leg length advantage and sending Wilson sprawling to the mat.

Anthony Pettis FC 21 is also available on UFC Fight Pass, as are our next couple of clips from LFA 223 and Fury Challenger Series 15.

Joe Taylor vs. Shealor LaddTedrick Macklin vs. Pena Allamov

Shealor Ladd, the brother of veteran Aspen Ladd, was having a hell of a rookie year after turning pro in January, knocking out his first three opponents and looking to cap off the campaign with another W. But Joe Taylor threw a major wrench in those plans.

Taylor, a 41-year-old who has competed sporadically since 2016, was coming off of two straight losses and Ladd was supposed to make it three. Instead, Taylor caught Ladd coming in just 35 seconds into the first round and sent him face-first to the canvas.

MMA, man.

Tedrick Macklin also snapped a two-fight skid at Fury Challenger Series 15, throwing a knee that Pena Allamov ducked into at the worst possible time.

Next time, go easy on the hammerfists.

Luiz Paes vs. Vinicius Oliveira

At a Thunder Fight show in Sao Paulo, Luiz Paes a.k.a. “Buakaw” (what I assume is a reference to the legendary Muay Thai fighter of the same name) took on Vinicius Oliveira (what I assume is a coincidence and not a reference to UFC’s “Lok Dog”).

Let’s just say one of these men succeeded in making their namesakes proud.

Not going to lie, I kind of just want to see the real Buakaw fight Lok Dog now.

Gilles Duflou vs. Kevin ParnasseAdnan Hajaj vs. Assadullah Safi

Was that knee not satisfying enough for you? Well, how about another? You know what, how about two for the price of one?

From Dominus MMA 5 in Bruges, Belgium:

Gilles Duflou sent Kevin Parnasse skidding across the cage with a clinch knee, then followed up with another fast one that sat Parnasse down.

In an amateur bout on the same card, Adnan Hajaj hit a fadeaway head kick that he almost definitely could not replicate if he tried 100 times.

Regardless… KOBE!

Giorgi Gogotchuri vs. Bagdat Zhumabaev

Combo of the Week goes to Georgia’s Giorgi Gogotchuri, who unleashed the beast on Bagdat Zhumabae at a Georgian Ancient Martial Arts show in Tbilisi.

Georgia’s Giorgi Gogotchuri… “Triple G.” Some fighter should use that, it’s catchy.

Kim Tran vs. Almagul Zhorobekova

Yes, ONE is still doing MMA. Yes, you can watch their Friday Fights shows for free on YouTube.

And yes, folks are still getting KTFO.

Kim Tran improved to 4-0 in MMA with this bullying effort against Almagul Zhorobekova. Had her cornered and showed no mercy, driving an elbow into Zhorobekova’s head to put a nasty exclamation point on the contest.

Henrique Madureira vs. Eriglent Prizreni

Last but far from least, we have… maybe the best submission of the year?

This is a late entry from Oktagon MMA’s recent show in Munich, Germany, but any best-of list that comes out in the next few weeks that doesn’t include Henrique Madureira’s inverted triangle is suspect.

Somewhere, Toby Imada is smiling.

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.