Sometimes the most exciting part of a fight isn’t the fight itself but what comes after the bell, so for better or worse here are five of the most noteworthy moments to occur post fight in MMA.
5) Babalu Sobral chokes out David Heath
August 25th 2007: UFC 74
At UFC 74: Respect, there was little shown between Babalu Sobral and David Heath. Following a very bloody affair between the fighters, Babulu was able to snag Heath in an Anaconda choke forcing the tap at 3:30 of the second round. But when Steve Mazzagatti went to break the fighters up Babalu decided to hold on the choke a bit longer forcing Heath to sleep and in his words, teach him some respect.
He call me motherf*cker, he has to learn respect. He deserved that sh*t. Not shying away that held the choke longer on purpose when questioned by Rogan, Babalu would then find himself ostracized from the UFC and suffer a $25,000 fine from the NSAC.
4) Paul Daley sucker punches Josh Koscheck
May 8th 2010: UFC 113
Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley were not too fond of each other leading up to their bout at UFC 113 and what was hoped to be exciting bout turned into a rather forgetful affair as Koscheck cruised his way to a boring 30-27 decision.
Showered with boos after the bell rang Koscheck walked to his corner, a clearly frustrated Daley followed him and landed a sucker punch, the most meaningful strike he landed that night but also the strike that signalled the end of his UFC career.
He will never fight in the UFC ever again an irate Dana White told media following the bout.
5+ years on Daley has bounced between MMA and Kickboxing fighting for Strikeforce, Glory, Bellator, BAMMA, CWFC and despite his win streak does not look any closer to being welcomed back to the UFC.
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3) Lesnar vs Mir II post fight
July 11th 2008: UFC 100
For months on end leading up to their rematch at UFC 100, Frank Mir taunted his rival at any opportunity he had a microphone, so when Lesnar got the TKO over Mir he had a few choice words for his fallen foe.
Talk all the sh*t you want! Lesnar screamed in Mirs face.
Showered by boos from the crowd, Lesnar proceeded to flip the bird and snarled right into the camera in one of the rawest moments of emotion displayed in the Octagon.
“Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him that a year ago. I pulled that sum-b*tch out, and I beat him over the head with it.
With still plenty on his mind the former WWE superstar and undisputed UFC champion then expressed his feelings about sponsors and his plans with his wife.
I’m gonna go home tonight. I’m gonna drink a Coors Light. that’s a Coors Light because Bud Light won’t pay me nothing. I’m gonna sit down with my friends and family and hell I might even get on top of my wife tonight, see you all later.
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2) HammerHouse vs Chute Boxe
Feb 26th 2006: Pride 31
It was Hammerhouse vs Chute Boxe in the Pride 31 main event when Shogun Rua took on Mark Coleman. After escaping a leglock attempt by Shogun, the former UFC Champion secured a takedown which resulted in a break on the Brazilians arm when landing. But the true event night was the chaos that followed.
With the ref stopping the bout, Coleman grabbed the smaller man by the head flinging him to his feet and was confronted by Murilo Ninja Rua, eventually both camps erupt as Wanderlei Silva gets taken down by Phil Baroni, Silva gets his head stomped by Coleman all while officials try diffuse the situation and aid the fallen Shogun.
Shortly after Coleman tried to apologize but Wanderlei Silva still outraged at being stomped refused the gesture. The two would later appear in a Schick shaving commercial together.
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1) Strikeforce Brawl
April 7th 2010: Strikeforce: Nashville
After Jake Shields defended his middleweight title against Dan Henderson, he would go through the regular post fight interview with Gus Johnson on CBS, only to be interrupted by a former opponent in Jason Mayhem Miller who uttered the words
Where’s my rematch, buddy?
Then total chaos erupted as Melendez pushed Miller away, Nick Diaz threw a punch toward Miller triggering an in-cage brawl involving the Cesar Gracie Camp on national television, resulting in of the more embarrassing incidents of the sport.
After the brawl had been diffused, the much maligned commentator Gus Johnson commented Sometimes these things happen in MMA, rubbing salt to the wound.
Originally poised with $20,000 fines and 9 month suspensions, Jake Shields, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, Gilbert Melendez and Jason Miller had them reduced to 3 months and $5000.
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