Mixed martial arts is not for the faint of heart. It is a full contact sport where fights are decided by one’s ability to brutalise their opponent. Despite the vicious nature of MMA, though, there are rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of fighters.
One of the most sacred rules in the world of MMA is the prohibition of hitting a fighter in his private areas. It is one of the dirtiest moves in the game and due to the debilitating effects a shot to the nads can have, referees are instructed to keep a close eye on proceedings to make sure it doesn’t happen.
In the event of a low blow, the fight is immediately stopped and the fighter who has received damage is given enough recovery time. In case he can’t recover, he is usually given the win via disqualification. Fights are won and lost through low blows.
Despite these stringent measures, there have been instances of low blows in MMA and they are not a pretty sight. So, without any further ado, here are the 5 worst low blows in MMA:
#5 Alessio Sakara vs. Ron Faircloth
Back in the early days of the UFC, Alessio Sakara was making his debut with the promotion at UFC 55 against Ron Faircloth. The Italian was considered a high-level boxer and there was a lot of hype surrounding his first foray into the elite level of MMA.
However, Sakara wasn’t really given the opportunity to show off his skills, as Faircloth caught him with a vicious groin shot early on in the fight. It was a crunching blow that caught him flush and there was little he could do about it.
Props to Sakara for attempting to get back into the fight but the blow proved too painful and is one of the few rare instances where a UFC fight was stopped due to a low blow. Not the prettiest way for your first fight to end
#4) Cheick Kongo vs. Mirko Cro Cop
Mirko Cro Cop is considered one of the great fighters in the history of MMA but as Cheick Kongo showed, that doesn’t guarantee the safety of your crown jewels. When the two faced off at UFC 75 – yet another early UFC event – Cro Cop was coming off a loss at UFC 70 and was looking at putting things right against Kongo.
The Frenchman had other plans though as he landed a series of horrifying knees to Cro Cop’s nether regions in the clinch early on in the fight and this left the Croatian in a world of pain. Despite being able to continue the fight, Cro Cop eventually lost the bout via decision.
There is little doubt that the punishment he received via the illegal low blows affected Cro Cop’s performance and this is one of those instances where the bout should have been called off. Kongo scored a much-tainted victory that didn’t earn him any plaudits from the fans.
Unfortunately for Cro Cop, this isn’t the last time he’s on this list.
#3) Alistair Overeem vs Mirko Cro Cop
When Alistair Overeem went up against our old friend, Mirko Cro Cop, there was a sense of excitement in the air. Sure, this was a fight at Dream 6 but it was still The Reem going up against the legendary Croatian.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, Overeem would cut the contest short due to one of the most brutal series of low blows ever seen inside an Octagon. Rumour has it that the assault on Cro Cop’s testicles were so bad that one of them had retreated into his cavity for a period of time after the bout ended.
Even disregarding the insane amount of pain that Cro Cop must’ve gone through, the fact that Overeem caused this fight to end as a No Contest after barely any engagement is an absolute crime.
Don’t worry Cro Cop, that’s your last entry on this list.
#2 Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg
Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg was one of the big rivalries in the UFC’s early days. Hughes had choked out Trigg at UFC 45 and Trigg was out for revenge at UFC 52 when the pair met up for the second time.
Trigg’s grand plan for this bout was to knee Hughes in the groin, follow it up with punches and attempt to choke out the man who defeated him in their first bout. Despite telling the referee that he needed a break due to the illegal blow, Hughes received no reprieve and was forced to continue fighting.
In a show of incredible human spirit, Hughes would fight through the pain, regain control of the fight and choke out Trigg in the first round itself. Take that you cheating scumbag.
#1 Gilbert Yvel vs. Wanderlei Silva
One of the worst low blows in MMA history came during a fight between Gilbert Yvel and Wanderlei Silva at Pride 11. After a low-key opening exchange, Muay Thai master, Silva, let loose a kick that absolutely rocked Yvel. The only problem? The kick caught him right in the nads.
As he went down like he was hit by a tonne of bricks, there was a stoppage and the fight was eventually declared a no contest. There is little doubt that this one of the most painful low blows to have ever been seen in MMA. Just take a look at the video above.
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