MMA Crazy Moments In The Sport
In mixed martial arts, we are regularly exposed to scenes of bravery, toughness and athletic ability, unsurpassed in modern sports. Sprinkled into that mix are OMG moments when we often have to ask ourselves, did that just happen? These instances can range from sheer disbelief, all-out gut-wrenching laughter.
And more often than not concern for the fallen fighter. It is moments like this both fierce and sometimes funny in their brutality, which has shaped the history sport we love. Here is but a small sample of some of those times.
Mark Hunt’s “Atomic Butt Drop” against Wanderlei Silva at PRIDE Shockwave
At PRIDE Shockwave Wanderlei Silva and Mark Hunt met in the open weight category. Midway through the fight, Hunt tried a somewhat unorthodox looking move.
Sitting ringside at the time, guest commentator Randy Couture aptly nicknamed Hunts very unique and impromptu technique “The Atomic butt drop”. Funny how this moment of almost comedic value stood out in the midst of this all-out war between two legends of the sport.
Bob Sapps Slam against Big Nog at PRIDE Shockwave
Bob Sapp has become known as somewhat of a joke within the sport of MMA. But once upon a time he was widely regarded as the most destructive fighter, with the most potential and let’s be honest, brute force, and size to grace the canvas.
His fight against Antonio Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira went down as one of the greatest fights of all time. But on the night it was Sapp’s spearing slam which elicited the biggest gasp from the ever-attentive Japanese crowd.
Jonathan Ivey’s Double roll against Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock took on Jonathan Ivey in what for the most part was a pretty competitive fight. Then out of the blue in what was later to be dubbed “the dreidel defence”.
Ivey went for what may have been a kneebar attempt. But then to the delight and dismay of fans, instead of grabbing the knee, he ended up doing a double head over heels tumble. Still to this day, nobody is quite sure why?
Fedor gets Suplexd by Kevin Randleman at PRIDE Critical Countdown
After a family member had died just a few days earlier. A fired-up Kevin ‘The Monster’ Randleman looked to stop the seemingly unstoppable Fedor Emelianenko when they met at PRIDE Critical Countdown.
Shortly into the fight, Randleman suplexed Emelianenko straight on to his neck in what can only be described as a career-ending move! Luckily for Fedor, he managed to escape relatively unscathed and went on to win the fight.
Don Frye and Yoshihiro Takayama’s work each other faces at PRIDE 21
It will probably never be said that Don Frye was one of the most skilful or graceful fighters to put on a pair of gloves. But he will always be remembered as one of the toughest men to ever tape them up.
With some absolute wars fought, his face mashing fight against Yoshihiro Takayama will always be remembered as probably most memorable. The two men simply grabbed each other by the back of the head and tested each others bone density. No style, no skill, just pure all-out aggression and a will to win.