It’s inevitable. It’s inevitable in the world of sport that we see a select few who go the extra mile to sink their teeth a little further into their opponents flesh. It’s inevitable that perhaps competition overwhelms a man and makes him act irrationally. Or perhaps it’s inevitable when a rivalry is so intense that it makes an athlete react dangerously.
However, its inevitability doesn’t mean that such behaviour is rewarded or respected in the world of combat sport. Yes, combat sports is a realm with plenty of violence and blood – but it’s a world tailored by discipline, respect and ultimately gratitude for one’s opponent.
In some rare instances, though, some fighters don’t execute these values in the Octagon. Unfortunately for them, they’ve now become known more for their legacy of misconduct than actual talent. Below is a list of Sportskeeda’s top five MMA controversial cheapshots.
#5 Paul Daley vs. Josh Koscheck – UFC 113
Those who don’t tune into any other promotions outside of the UFC would probably be unaware of Daley’s current rise to contention outside of the promotion. And unfortunately for the British striker, the only claim to fame he attained in the UFC was for his absolute disregard for Koscheck at UFC 113.
To preface this fight, we must look at the build in the rivalry between the two trash-talking Welterweights. They clashed with words, frustrated one another tenfold, and it felt like for fans and these two men alike, fight night couldn’t come fast enough. When the time finally dawned upon them, Daley was victim to Koscheck’s wrestling pedigree for the entire fight.
He completely out grappled Daley to the point that he even found a few moments to mock the Brit. Of course, in return, Koscheck was graced with an intensely frustrated Daley and once the bell rang at the close of the third round it was all too true.
While walking back to his corner, Koscheck was chased down by Daley who swiped a powerful, yet loose uppercut to the American’s chin just before referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in and rammed him against the cage. It was perhaps one of the most unruly acts of misconduct seen in the Octagon at the time leading the UFC to ban Daley for life.
#4 Frank Mir vs. Wes Sims – UFC 43
At UFC 43, when Wes Sims stepped into the Octagon across Mir he was no stranger to controversy. In fact, although this particular instance was his most legendary in terms of the words illegal and controversial, Sims had previous feats of misconduct.
In this particular instance, it took itself to a new level. Of course while competing at a high level like the athletes in the UFC do, there will always be risks of injury and physical repercussions. But all that comes with a dignified approach to fighting and one that is enveloped with each man’s deep respect for his opponent, despite ultimately hurting one another.
For two full rounds, Mir used his excellent BJJ to dictate the pace and direction of the fight, one he was on course to winning. When Mir was found on his back with his grip around Sim’s arm he attempted an armbar.
Unfortunately, Sims had other plans and used his standing position to intentionally stomp Mir’s head as he tried to lock in the submission. It was a rude awakening for Mir, but in the end, it cost Sims.
#3 Strahinja Gavrilovic vs. Jo Vallee – TKO 37
The unfortunate reality of under educated athletic commissions or referees across the globe means that late and even dangerous stoppages occur. However, the fault cannot be solely placed on the official’s shoulders, but also fighters whose dignity for human life should come into play (despite sounding counterintuitive in regards to fighting).
On top of this is the massive growth of MMA in the regional scene, where although the scrutiny isn’t as high as perhaps the UFC is, the danger level still remains. At TKO 37 this past January in Montreal, Canada between main event pair Strahinja Gavrilovic and Jo Vallee there happened one of the worst (that we known of) disqualifications in the Octagon.
After a massive overhand right clipped Vallee’s chin, Gavrilovic took the opportunity to pounce and finish the fight. Unfortunately, his intentions went too far when his opponent was clearly comatose after a couple extra hammer fists.
Even with the referee tackling and peeling him off Vallee, he continued to strike the bouncing head of his opponent into the mat. It’s for certain that his regional name will be blacklisted for his misconduct and even perhaps blacklisted for bigger and better promotions as well after this fight.
#2 Rousimar Palhares vs. Jake Shields – WSOF 22
In this slot, we have yet another repeat offender. Palhares’ name has been stigmatised by his inability to respect his opponents in the cage and his tendency to continue to hurt them well past the fight has been stopped.
Palhares’ BJJ game is among some of the best in MMA but it’s his crooked need to hold submissions too long that has costs him appearances in the top promotions in North America. Against Mike Pierce at during UFC Fight Night: Maia vs Shields, the Brazilian reached an all-time low (and earned his reputation) after holding an aggressive heel-hook and torquing the submission even after Pierce repeatedly tapped.
To follow up being canned by the UFC he entered WSOF where soon, he would re-earn his negative reputation. While deep into a fatigued third round at WSOF 22, Palhares and Shields traded a variety of shots before the American went for a stiff takedown.
In his attempt, Palhares spun Shields around and grabbed his arm to score a kimura finish. Unfortunately for Shields, the Welterweight looked to take it too far and did what he always does and cranked his opponent’s joint well after he tapped and a referee stepped in.
This action eventually led Palhares to be suspended by the NSAC for two years but it always was a disgusting attempt at showing how awesome his BJJ is.
#1 Jon Jones vs. Everybody
There is a special place for the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion on any cheap shot list, purely because of the reputation he has earned with eye pokes. Jones has spent a majority of his UFC career denying the eye pokes were intentional, but later in 2014, the New York native admitted that he realises he does it.
Unfortunately, despite the honesty, it didn’t seem to stop him from continuing to do it constantly. Now in Jones’ defence, the eye pokes can be explained as a tool to judge distance – always keeping a hand outright to feel his opponent’s space as well as defending a punch.
But at the same time, considering the number of times he has used eye pokes (Lyoto Machida, Glover Teixeira, Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans…the list goes on) it’s fair to say its perhaps just simply a dirty tactic. It’s an unfortunate reality to conceive considering the Light Heavyweight’s immense talent in every other aspect of MMA.
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