In many MMA gyms out there it is pretty common to have in house competitions commonly known as smokers or exhibitions. Usually it is between members of the same gym or even a rival gym and is used as a way to test out your techniques against a fully resisting opponent.

Usually these are friendly, easy going sparring type matches between novices in the sport getting their first taste of competition. Sometimes it gets a little out of hand though like we see in the following video.

Most of the time in smokers or exhibitions though, the competitors are wearing a lot of protective gear like head gear, shin guards, as well as heavy gloves. In this gym match they are wearing nothing of the sort. Only the small, what look to be 4 oz MMA gloves are being worn by the combatants, the same size worn in professional level UFC fights.

The guys in this video, which looks to be from far east Russia, are going quite hard too so perhaps this is the culmination of some sort of feud or challenge match. These guys aren’t holding anything back and the organizers seemingly allow it all to happen.

Look at the knee strike landed at the 37 second mark, right to the unprotected head of his opponent. In most gyms and entry level competition, unprotected knee strikes to the head are not allowed and really shows that these guys are playing for keeps.

As if that knee strike wasn’t enough, the move that ends the contest is even more brutal and frowned upon in a gym setting. The guy in the black shorts picks his opponent up in the air then slams him down very hard right on his head and neck, ending the fight in brutal fashion.

“>

The slam even opened a big gash on his opponent’s head, most likely from a clash of heads which can be a common occurrence in many slams.