Welcome to the most recent version of Missed Fists the place we shine a light-weight on fights from throughout the globe that will have been neglected in these hectic occasions the place it looks as if there’s an MMA present each different day.
Within the neverending seek for fight sports activities innovation, we speak lots about tweaking rulesets and outside-of-the-box gimmicks, however not often can we think about how overhauling the gear might change the sport. Certain, you realize about gi and no-gi grappling, however what have you learnt about full swimsuit grappling?
Women and gents, we current to you the John Wick Invitational.
(Large thanks as all the time to @Barrelelapierna for his or her weekly lists of the very best KOs and submissions, and to @Grabaka_Hitman for importing lots of the clips you see right here. Give them a observe and chip in on Patreon if you happen to can.)
That is really the second John Wick Invitational and I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t heard of this competitors till now. Shortened to JWI-2 (I’ve to surprise in the event that they dropped printed mentions of John Wick to attenuate the prospect of getting sued), the occasion is introduced by xSuit, which is smart given the attire firm manufacturers its wares as “The World’s Most Snug Swimsuit.”
The clothes is actually put to the check right here as what you’re seeing is full-on jiu-jitsu competitors in fits, creating fights harking back to Keanu Reeves’ intense motion franchise. Significantly, that is form of genius, and likewise a little bit of foolish enjoyable particularly as soon as a battle will get all the way down to the final minute.
That’s when the weapons come into play.
That’s proper, if there isn’t a submission after 4 minutes, a coin is flipped to find out whether or not a prop gun or prop knife will probably be thrown into the preventing pit. The ultimate minute then turns into a scramble to both seize the gun and get a shot off or seize the knife and stab your method to victory. It’s a delightfully ridiculous gimmick that nearly makes it disappointing when a battle ends in a typical armbar or rear-naked choke earlier than the grapplers can get to time beyond regulation.
I can not suggest taking an hour or two to skim by JWI-2 and watch not less than a number of matches (particularly earlier than Lionsgate Studios decides to difficulty a C&D). And take a look at this nice writeup of the occasion from BJJDOC, which additionally breaks down a number of the guidelines (unfastened although they might be).
Gennier Rojas vs. Gabriel Diaz
If we’re speaking grappling, then I’m not going to cross up the chance to spotlight certainly one of my favourite submission: The calf slicer.
A sick transfer below any circumstances, I’m significantly a fan of fighters breaking out this leglock throughout a seeming stalemate on the bottom. At Fusion FC 89 in Lima, Peru, Gennier Rojas arrange an unsuspecting Gabriel Diaz earlier than locking the maintain in and leaving that calf sliced up actual good.
Actually, a pleasure to look at (in all probability not a pleasure to faucet out to).
Fusion FC 89 is accessible for replay on UFC Struggle Cross.
Landry Ward vs. Bryce Logan
Jordan Stronge vs. Chris Hayes
Additionally on Struggle Cross, now we have a pair of unimaginable knockouts from LFA 207 and Cage Warriors 187.
Landry Ward simply knocked his man for a loop, stepping right into a proper hand simply as Bryce Logan superior and rendering him momentarily limp.
By the point Logan’s physique regained stable kind, he was making an attempt to single leg the referee. Yeah, I’m going to name {that a} good stoppage.
Over in Glasgow, Scotland, Jordan Stronge completed Chris Hayes in fashion. In case you’ve ever yelled “JUST LET THE GUY UP” at a display screen after seeing a fighter damage their opponent, this one is for you.
No messing about on the bottom, only a sensible reset to gauge how a lot Hayes had left. Not a lot because it seems, so Stronge sealed the take care of a ravishing leaping knee.
Hurshed Nazarov vs. Keremuaili Maimaitituoheti
Hurshed Nazarov fell quick in his Courageous CF debut 11 months in the past, so you realize he was decided to make a memorable second impression. And he did, scoring his first end since 2021.
Neglect all that scoreboard noise, Nazarov went in looking for a quick end and he discovered it, needing simply 17 seconds to crack Keremuaili Maimaitituoheti proper on the chin and depart him in that place you’re purported to take when an airplane goes down.
Taiki Kono vs. Toshikazu Hirayama
Over at a DEEP occasion in Aichi, Japan, we had arguably the very best knockout of the week.
In an newbie bantamweight bout, Taiki Kono leveled Toshikazu Hirayama with a really disgusting head kick.
And that’s all one can actually say about that.
DEEP Nagoya Influence 1st Spherical is accessible free of charge replay on YouTube.
Ballot
What do you consider the John Wick Invitational?
If you realize of a latest battle or occasion that you simply assume could have been neglected, or a promotion that might use some consideration, please tell us on X — @AlexanderKLee — utilizing the hashtag #MissedFists.
