Welcome to the latest edition of Missed Fists where we shine a light on fights from across the globe that may have been overlooked in these hectic times where it seems like there’s an MMA show every other day.

We’re a day away from UFC 323, the last event of the promotion’s pay-per-view era as it makes its big move to Paramount in January. No more mulling over whether it’s worth plopping down 80 bucks for an event headlined by a vacant interim title fight between the No. 3 and No. 8 contender. Subscribe or die, baby!

Anyway, I bring this up because now is as good a time as any to remind everyone that there has always been plenty of free MMA out there, including the two events that kick off this week’s highlights.

(Big thanks as always to @Barrelelapierna for their weekly lists of the best KOs and submissions, and to @Grabaka_Hitman for uploading many of the clips you see here. Give them a follow and chip in on Patreon if you can.)

Ilzat Asiev vs. Bekzat Kanatbek

Ilzat Asiev, we hate to be the ones to rain on your parade, but… my guy, this was really bad.

At an Octagon League event in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Asiev showed off some slick grappling, beating Bekzat Kanatbek off of his back with a lovely triangle choke to snatch the win in the third round. Unfortunately, what happened afterwards completely overshadowed the whole thing.

Asiev ran to the cage for a classic flip off the fence and biffed it completely. Not only did he not fully rotate, he rotated just enough to land on his head and nearly break his fool neck. In all seriousness, that could have ended so badly for him and we’re glad he’s OK. Once that adrenaline wears off, though, he’s going to have a hell of a crick in his neck.

A free replay of Octagon League 82 is available on YouTube.

Nathassya Souza vs. Zaide Barbosa

Over at Cyborg Fight MMA 1 (also available for free on YouTube), up-and-coming 135er Nathassya Souza won via head kick knockout, but that description doesn’t really do it justice.

When it comes to putting your shin upside someone’s head, it doesn’t get much better than that. Zaide Barbosa’s hands completely dropped, leaving her wide open for that devastating strike, and seconds later she was slumped against the fence. Nice restraint from Souza, who adds style points onto an impressive win.

As a bonus, why not check out Souza’s first win from October 2024, which she won via leg kick.

She’s got major power in those legs!

Regina Tarin vs. Yurivia Jimenez

Sticking with women’s MMA, we head to Tough N Xtreme 1125 in San Jose, Costa Rica, where 21-year-old flyweight prospect Regina Tarin continues to tear up the competition.

Tarin landed a counter right on the money, causing Yurivia Jimenez to literally bow down in defeat.

Tarin is just getting started, having turned pro in 2023, but with six finishes in her first seven fights, you can bet she’s already on the UFC’s radar.

Akhmed Kagirov vs. Andria ShalutashviliRok Krusic vs. Nikola Durdev

At Fight Nation Championship 25 in Varazdin, Croatia, dudes were throwing hands wildly to varying degrees of success.

Andria Shalutashvili completely whiffed on a home-run punch here and Akhmed Kagirov made him pay with a one-two that sent Shalutashvili crashing head-first to the canvas.

Rok Krusic, on the other hand, was also throwing with reckless abandon, but for him it actually worked!

That was a left with no setup into a left with no setup (though maybe the first left set up the second left?). Not exactly textbook boxing, but you can’t argue with the results.

Delffy Humer vs. Yaman MjahedFredrik Ljunglund vs. John Oldenqvist

Now, to the original subscription service, UFC Fight Pass, for big knockouts from Way of Warrior FC and Fight Club Rush.

Delffy Humer continues this week’s trend of just punching your little heart out until your opponent cracks.

I don’t know about you, but I didn’t find anything HUMERous about that KO. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.

Fredrik Ljunglund was also letting his hands go, actually missing with a couple of follow-up punches after scoring a knockdown before pressing in undeterred and finishing his plate.

Jaroslaw Chokobok vs. Juba Beridze

Back to more free MMA with Rkena FC 1, which you can check out in its entirety on YouTube.

Jaroslaw Chokobok probably couldn’t believe his luck when opponent Juba Beridze telegraphed a takedown and dove headfirst into a knee to the face.

Beridze ate all of that and looked completely gone after (fortunately, his soul soon returned to his body and he exited the cage on his own power).

And ICYMI when we posted this on The Feed (come hang out with us on The Feed!), Ivan Perez threw one of the most illegal strikes in North American history when he blasted a grounded Juan Alvarez with a soccer kick at a Budo Sento Championship event this past weekend.

I can’t imagine what Perez was thinking here. That it would be awesome? Sure. But super illegal and a deserved notch in the loss column.

If you know of a recent fight or event that you think may have been overlooked, or a promotion that could use some attention, please let us know on X — @AlexanderKLee — using the hashtag #MissedFists.