Mismatches can occur in just about any sport really but there is something especially compelling about MMA mismatches. Perhaps it is similar to how we can`t look away from car wrecks, we want to see what happens even though we know it won’t be pretty.

The major difference between mismatches in other sports compared to MMA however is that in MMA somebody is getting beaten up and could get seriously hurt. Matchmakers have a responsibility not only to the fans but to the competitors to put on fair, evenly matched fights. Whoever matched up these following fights did not do their job correctly.

4) Randy Couture vs James Toney

… had mismatch written all over it before it began. Boxer James Tony wanted to test the waters of MMA so who better to give him than a former champion and grappler who would take him down immediately? Toney had no chance in this one and took a beating before Randy was kind enough to finish it with an arm triangle choke.

3) Royce Gracie vs Art Jimmerson

… ah who could forget? The infamous one gloved Jimmerson. He claimed to wear the one boxing glove in order to not damage his jab hand. He never got the chance to use it though. Art Jimmerson was a journeyman boxer with zero grappling knowledge and the legendary Royce Gracie ran him over, forcing him to tap in a couple minutes.

2) CM Punk vs Mickey Gall

… was one of the most one sided beat downs in UFC history. CM Punk looked like a total and complete amateur in there. Punk wanted to test himself and that he did but he wasn’t anywhere close to UFC level. Though perhaps he deserves some respect for making the walk to the cage. Gall took him down easily and beat him up before tapping him out with a rear naked choke.

1) Jose Canseco vs Hong Man Choi

… is the epitome of a freak show mismatch. Not only was Hong Man Choi way bigger than Canseco he actually has a legit kickboxing background. Don’t forget Choi holds a win over kickboxing great Semmy Schilt. He’s also fought Cro Cop and Fedor in MMA. Canseco on the other hand had no background in any sort of combat sport. As the video shows, this was a bizarre fight that didn’t last long.

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It looks more like an episode of bully beat down than an actual MMA fight. Hong Man Choi submitted Canseco with punches just after a minute into the fight.