Ad Code

Responsive Advertisement

Missed Fists: Lone’er Kavanagh dazzles on Contender Series, plus a brutal MMA debut

LaPhezz August 16, 2024
Jed Meshew https://ift.tt/cs58rhX
Dana White’s Contender Series: Kavanagh v Ho
Lone’er Kavanagh | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

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.

Why, hello there! It’s been a while my avid Fisties, but I’m excited to be back. I haven’t graced Missed Fists in a long time, but with Alexander K. Lee out on vacation, I selflessly offered to step in and take a trip down memory lane. Things are a little different since the last time I was here, but the core concept remains the same: Hey y’all, look at this cool stuff!

So let’s look at some cool stuff!

And because I’m in charge this week, I’m going to cheat. Usually AK doesn’t opt for UFC adjacent content because this is about regional MMA, after all. But I love me some Contender Series, and on the first episode of the season this week, fans got to see one of the very best prospects in all of MMA show out.

Lone’er Kavanagh is only 25 years old and a lot of very smart people expect very big things out of this young man. It’s easy to see why.

An Tuan Ho is a good prospect in his own right, yet it took Kavanagh little more than two minutes to figure out the timing and lamp him.

Kavanagh has TV star looks (seriously, he kinda looks like Tanner Buchanan from Cobra Kai), unreal power, and a bit of something special around him. Many people expected him to go win the Cage Warriors belt but then the UFC called, and if he keeps delivering performances like this, the talk will turn to when he’s fighting for the UFC title instead.

Wender Batista vs. Ricardo Nogueira

MMA debuts always fascinate me because it’s a hurricane of emotions washing over you before you make the walk for the first time. Even the most confident people will have some doubts, as for the first time, the rubber is truly about to meet the road. What if you actually suck, and embarrass yourself and your family and no one will ever love you again because you did so poorly?

Or, what if you’re Wender Batista?

Batista made his MMA debut against Ricardo Nogueira at Sinop Fighting Combat 2 in Sinop, Brazil, and you can hardly dream of a better outcome. Despite being massively disadvantaged when it comes to experience, Batista showed poise in his first fight, before landing a beautiful head kick that dropped Nogueira. He then finished the job with a series of savage punches that left Nogueira folded up on top of himself like Mirko Cro Cop after the first Gabriel Gonzaga fight.

Not bad for your first time.

Ngoc Tin Huynh vs. Tuyet Dung Phan Ngoc

Not all debuts go as well, though. Case in point, when Ngoc Tin Huynh made his debut in June at Lion Championship 14, he lost a unanimous decision. But the young Vietnamese fighter didn’t let that keep him down, and at Lion Championship 16 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, his sophomore effort went substantially better.

Ngoc Tin Huynh opened the contest with a sneak high kick that almost finished the job immediately, but Tuyet Dung Phan Ngoc covered up and retreated, allowing Ngoc Tin Huynh to knock him out in just 13 seconds.

Somewhere out there, Conor McGregor is thinking fondly about when he used to fight.

Langston Sykes vs. Anson Swindle

But while Ngoc Tin Huynh was undeniably excited to redeem himself from his unfortunate debut with a great KO, there might not be a man alive who was happier this week than Langston Sykes.

Sykes fought Anson Swindle in the co-main event of Island Fights 84, and heading into the contest, Sykes was 0-4 in his professional MMA career. That kind of repeated losing can wear on a person, and Sykes was able to exorcise those demons with one of the most aesthetically pleasing knockouts you’ll see this month.

The combination, the clean right hand to finish him off, the way Swindle’s head snaps around and then he falls perfectly between the ropes, landing on the middle one like he’s about to get 619ed by Rey Mysterio. *Chef’s kiss.*

Ilzat Assiyev vs. Abylaikhan Zholdasbayev

But Missed Fists doesn’t just celebrate the knockouts in regional MMA. We’re also all about the wonkiest and rarest submissions. Regional MMA is great for subs because the disparity in fighters can be vast, so you get all sorts of things that are extremely rare in UFC or PFL.

To that end, one of my favorite submissions is the Suloev stretch as it’s very cool and also brutal, as Abylaikhan Zholdasbayev found out.

Zholdasbayev faced Ilzat Assiyev in the opening bout of NAIZA 65 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the poor man got run over. Assiyev scored an early takedown, moved to mount, and battered Zholdasbayev until finally delivering a merciful end with a Suloev stretch. It’s not often the Suloev is considered mercy, but in this case, it was — though Zholdasbayev may not walk right for a while.

Qiulun vs. Bayanduuren Gantumur

On the topic of fun submissions, former Contender Series and Road to UFC fighter Qiulun got back in the win column with a nasty ninja choke against Bayanduuren Gantumur at JCK Fight Night 90 in Luliang, China.

Gantumur opened the second round with a naked shot at Qiulun’s legs and paid the price for his mistake, as “Tibetan Knight” quickly locked in the fight-ending choke. Gantumur fought valiantly to survive and break the grip, but ultimately couldn’t find a way out and was forced to tap before going to sleep.

And that’s it for this week, Fisties! Honestly, fairly light as far as regional highlights I would consider great, but still, some pretty fun ones. And as always, a big thanks 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.

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 Twitter (I’m not calling it X) — @AlexanderKLee — using the hashtag #MissedFists.



from MMA Fighting - All Posts https://ift.tt/gHrBLaI
LaPhezz

Posted by LaPhezz

LaPhezz is an enigmatic writer who never reveals his true identity, preferring to keep his personal life completely private. He uses a pen name to create a persona that reflects his secretive nature, and his writing speaks for itself, captivating readers with his unique voice and storytelling style. Despite his mysterious nature, LaPhezz has gained a loyal following of readers who are entranced by his talent for crafting complex characters and intricate plots that keep them on the edge of their seats. He often shares insights into his creative process and the inspiration behind his writing, driven by a love of storytelling and a desire to explore the complexities of the human experience. LaPhezz's stories cover a wide range of topics, from love and loss to the mysteries of the universe. He brings a fresh perspective to every story he tells, transporting readers to new worlds and keeping them guessing until the very end. If you're searching for a writer who can captivate you with their storytelling and take you on a journey through the unknown, look no further than LaPhezz - the master of mystery behind some of the most enthralling stories on the internet.

Post a Comment

0 Comments

Dear valued readers,

I am writing to you today as LaPhezz, an international man of mystery with a passion for technology and a fascination for analytics. I have traveled the world and lived in many different places, and I have experienced a wide range of cultures and perspectives.

Despite my travels and encounters with countless people from all walks of life, I remain something of an enigma. My true identity is known to only a select few, and even those who know me well are often left guessing at my motivations and intentions.

As a tech enthusiast, I am always looking for new ways to leverage data and analytics to solve complex problems and make the world a better place. I believe that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change, and I am constantly exploring the latest trends and innovations in the field.

I am grateful to have such a diverse and engaged readership, and I am always eager to hear your feedback and insights. Whether you have questions about my work, suggestions for new topics to explore, or simply want to connect with a fellow tech enthusiast, I am always here to listen and engage.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Together, we can use technology and analytics to create a brighter, more connected world.

Best regards,
LaPhezz

Ad Code

Responsive Advertisement