Like an impartial judge's call in Brazil, the spinning backfist knock-out is a rarity in mixed martial arts that we need to see more of.
But Alexander Shlemenko provided us with the stunning strike during last night's Bellator 133 main event against Melvin Manhoef.
Many would have given Manhoef (29–13–1, 1NC) the striking advantage against the former Bellator middleweight champion but Russia's Shlemenko quickly changed their minds midway through the second round.
Shlemenko faked the jab before spinning and throwing the technique which ended up in more of a spinning forearm but that's just not quite as catchy as a spinning backfist.
BREAKING Former UFC star Godofredo Pepey has been found dead in a Florida prison aged 38. The Brazilian MMA fighter, whose real name is Godofredo Castro de Oliveira, was in prison awaiting trial after he was accused of domestic violence towards his wife Samara Mello. He was arrested in June of this year. According to […]
It’s believed to have been a targeted attack. Former UFC fighter , Suman Mokhtarian, has been shot dead. The ex-MMA fight was shot in a ‘brazen’ and ‘targeted’ daylight attack while taking an early evening walk, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Mokhtarian was shot in the upper body and was unable to be revived by […]
“I invite you and your whole team and family to Dagestan.” Derry’s Paul Hughes suffered the second MMA defeat of his career in Dubai on Saturday. Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Lightweight World Championship belt was on the line in what was the top-billed fight in the PFL Champions Series 1 event. Hughes was a big underdog […]