Fighter backflips in the third round

Mixed Martial Arts can showcase all that is noble and gallant in human potential. Other times it is really weird. Why did he do a back flip? Why did his opponent then drop his hands? And why oh why did the referee wait so long to stop it?

MMA’s small history of back flips begins with an infamous front flip – Harold Howard vs. Steve Jennum, at UFC 3. In the end, Howard flipped out.

Perhaps inspired by Howard, Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis tried using a backflip to pass guard. He was swept for his trouble.

 Below is an unusual celebratory half flip, like a half guard, but less effective.

Back flips can also be used to celebrate losing.(1:10 mark)

In sum, after a careful review of the history of backflipping in MMA, the conclusion is inescapable – you shouldn’t back flip very often in the cage, no good will come of it.