The tap out, or tap, is an integral part of any ground fighting system and provides for a variety of functions. The tap signifies the end of a match; it is a physical expression of a verbal command. It is a command that expresses the want of a participant to end the match and resign to a state of defeat. The move, in essence, states, I give up and at this moment in time you are better than I am. For me to continue on would simply cause undue damage so I hereby declare you the victor in this competition.
The results of not tapping out range from simply losing consciousness to having a limb broken; the majority of fighters take the high road and opt to tap out rather than receive further damage, some choose not to or, believe it or not, or are so caught up in the heat of competition that they forget. Submissions happen very quickly and in this article we will look at five fighters who forgot to tap out!
5) Brian Smiley
In one of the quickest submissions on our list we see just how fast things can go south for a fighter. Smiley clearly thought that he wasn’t in much danger but with just a few minor adjustments made by his opponent and the lapse in memory to tap out, Smiley goes to sleep.
4) Brandon Wickwire
Brandon Wickwire makes the mistake that a lot of young fighters make: he didn’t realize how much trouble he was really in and forgets to tap out. Unfortunately for him, the referee didn’t realize it either!
3) Tim Sylvia
At UFC 191, Tim Sylvia took on submission expert Frank Mir. After being trapped in a precarious position up against the fence with his arm in serious danger of being broken, the unthinkable happens. Sylvia’s arm literally breaks in two. After the referee sees the damage done to Sylvia’s arm, he very wisely stops the fight however; in an unprecedented move, even after seeing the replay, Sylvia denies that his arm is broken! (Note: after surgery and a metal plate was put into his arm, Sylvia conceded that his arm was in fact broken.)
2) Brian Borden
In what is one of the craziest submissions seen in the world of mixed martial arts Brian Borden either completely forgets to tap or the odd submission came on so quickly he simply woke up wondering what happened, none the less, the lesson to be learned here is when you find yourself in a precarious, unknown situation, it is probably best to go ahead and tap out.
1) Mike Pantangco vs Jeremy Raser
Sometimes an athlete’s heart, will to win, or desire to continue can in fact be a detriment. After being beaten, bloodied, thrown around, and hit with everything from flying knees to spinning elbows, Jeremy Raser refused to give up. In an uncanny display of sportsmanship, Mike Pantangco did what has never been done before: he simply tapped out, losing the match in the process, to keep from inflicting any more damage to his opponent. For that he shares the top spot on this list with his opponent who forgot to tap out.
