Missed Fists: Jorge Carico wins by tackling opponent out of the cage

02/21/2025 11:00 AM

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.

The more things change, the more they stay the same in the world of combat sports.

That's right, it's the year 2025, and fighters are still having to deal with the hazards of the cage. I'm not just talking about poor Tatiana Suarez having her knee scraped up something fierce by the fence at UFC 312, we also had an incident at an Inka FC show in Lima, Peru, this week where the fighters spilled out of the cage… and somehow, it wasn't declared a no-contest???

(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.)

Jorge Carico vs. Yohan Gamero

Jorge Carico was looking good against Yohan Gamero, nearly scoring a rear-naked choke in the first round, but the game-changing moment happened early in the second as Carico went for a bodylock and the fighters went crashing out the cage door. The landing looked absolutely miserable, so it's no surprise that Gamero got the worst of it and was unable to continue. He was so hurt, he never made it back to the ring and had to be helped away afterwards.

Then comes the weirdness. Rather than wave off the bout, Carico was actually called in to have his hand raised, with the judges declaring him the winner. I imagine this was akin to a technical decision, though those normally only happen when a bout has passed the halfway point. Carico clearly took the first round, but Round 2 was barely underway when the accident happened. A strange W, to be sure.

Also, watch the clip again. The referee barely moved during the entire incident, seemingly unbothered by the chaotic scene: "Hey, I'm only getting paid for the action inside the cage, pal."

You can catch a free replay of Inka FC 48 on Kick.

Sayani Gutierrez vs. Joaquin Lopez

Staying in beautiful Lima, let's check out the latest from Fusion FC (available on UFC Fight Pass), which featured this wicked exchange between Sayani Gutierrez and Joaquin Lopez in a modified Muay Thai rules match.

How often do you see a phone-booth fight like that end with a kick to the stomach? That was no lucky shot either. Gutierrez was looking to destroy Lopez's body, somehow finding a home for those body shots in a back-and-forth flurry, and landing not one, but two rib-roasting body kicks. That's just beautiful stuff.

Aboubakar Younousov vs. Maycon Alcino

Not as beautiful as this finish from Ares FC 29 in Paris, though. I'm not sure anything is more beautiful.

Watch that again. And again. And again.

There's not a lot to add here, other than that Younousov is an absolute maniac who will undoubtedly be added to the UFC roster sometime in the next 18 months. This is the undefeated bantamweight prospect's third time being featured in Missed Fists, as he was honored twice in 2023 for a-you guessed it-spinning elbow knockout in and a 27-second armbar.

Some people just have that viciousness gene and Younousov is clearly one of them.

Diego Garcia vs. Emmanuel Blancas
Alfrego Ruelas vs. Devair Ribeiro

Back to UFC Fight Pass we go for a visit to Budo Sento Championship in Mexico City.

First up, we have Diego Garcia landing a left hook on the button to end his pro debut in just 34 seconds.

At a glance, stoppage looked early, but you can see Emmanuel Blancas wasn't all there afterwards. He got cracked clean and the referee probably made the right call as that was only going to get worse.

There was no questioning Alfrego Ruelas' finish as he drove an absolutely filthy clinch knee up the middle into Devair Ribeiro's chin.

No solid foods for a week after that one.

Yahya Kamaran vs. Tyrone Grant

In an amateur bout at Elite Combat Championship 2 in Bolton, England, Yahya Kamaran finished like a pro, landing a well-timed head kick and then walking off in style.

You can catch more free fights on the promotion's YouTube.

Leon Shahbazyan vs. Aieron Tavarres

Fire up Fight Pass one more time because in case you missed it, Edmen Shahbazyan wasn't the only Shahbazyan brother in action this past weekend.

While Edmen took care of business by smoking Dylan Budka at UFC Vegas 102, big brother Leon scored an impressive finish of his own one night earlier at Tuff-N-Uff 141 at SAHARA Las Vegas just up the road from the APEX.

Leon had his shot on Dana White's Contender Series in 2019, falling short against Phil Rowe, since that chance he's just 2-2 (including a loss to future Ultimate Fighter 32 winner Ryan Loder) and has competed sporadically. But at 29 there's still time for him to join his brother on the UFC roster.

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.