Missed Fists: Shuya Kamikubo locks in sick twister submission variation at LFA 202

Welcome to the latest edition of Missed Fists where we shine a light on fights from across the globe that may have been overlooked in these hectic times where it seems like there’s an MMA show every other day.

Following a week full of ridiculous finishes, including an action-packed UFC Seattle card, picking just one highlight to lead the show is nearly impossible, but we have a worthy winner in Legacy Fighting Alliance debutante Shuya Kamikubo.

Take it away, Shuya!

(Big thanks as always to @Barrelelapierna for their weekly lists of the best KOs and submissions, and to @Grabaka_Hitman for uploading many of the clips you see here. Give them a follow and chip in on Patreon if you can.)

Shuya Kamikubo vs. Mateus Santos

If Kamikubo’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he did some damage competing for ONE Championship, compiling a 6-0 record with the promotion before falling short in a Road to UFC tournament in 2023.

That said, he pulled off an absurd twister submission at LFA 202 last Friday that will definitely keep him on the UFC’s radar.

I still can’t believe there’s a legal submission hold that can result in your head being ripped from your shoulders if you don’t tap to it, but so it is, and Kamikubo took full advantage of the rules here as he bent Mateus Santos completely out of shape.

That’s two straight wins by first-round submission for Kamikubo since his disappointing Road to UFC exit. You’ll be hearing more from him soon enough.

LFA 202 is available for replay on UFC Fight Pass.

Victor Nunes vs. Genil Francisco
Abdurakhman Alimagomedov vs. Imran Taysultanov

Staying on Fight Pass, we go from Niagara Falls, N.Y., to Al Ain, UAE, for this one-shot knockout by Victor Nunes at UAE Warriors 58.

Genil Franciso went down quickly after taking that punch, like someone who is in over their head in a schoolyard scrap. It almost looked like he wanted to ask Nunes, “Why’d you hit me, man???” I feel for him.

Speaking of fight-ending conversations, Imran Taysultanov looked confused as to why the referee stopped this fight with Abdurakhman Alimagomedov shredding his arm into pieces.

I think he’s asking why the referee called it—which should be obvious because you can hear Taysultanov cry out in pain—but if I was him I’d be asking why the referee didn’t step in sooner. “Save my arm, bro.”

Kike Gonzalez vs. Daniel Nunez
Bryan Ulises Lopez vs. Kevin Arreola

And while you’re logged in, take a trip to Monterrey, Mexico for these awesome finishes by Kike Gonzalez and Bryan Ulises Lopez.

Gonzalez surprised Daniel Nunez with a kneebar that went undefended until it was too late. It doesn’t even look like Gonzalez had this completely locked in, but Nunez wasn’t taking any chances and you can’t blame him.

That was just a beautiful combo by Lopez. A front kick started it off, then the knee hurt Kevin Arreola badly, and it was all downhill from there. Arreola was still fighting on instinct, but at some point you’re bleeding your own blood and it’s time to get out of there.

Ramzan Khakimov vs. Clement Grange

You think we’d hear more from the martial arts scene in Belgium, considering it’s the home of Jean-Claude Van Damme, the man who inspired a generation of martial artists, both traditional and mixed.

Let’s make up for lost time with this insanely tight buggy choke by Ramzan Khakimov at a Rising Stars show in Brussels.

Antonio Copey vs. Matthias Friederich
Noorrahman Amiri vs. Adlan Beksultanov

From Unity Fight Series 3 in Luneburg, Germany, check out this straight bludgeoning by amateur light heavyweight Antonio Copey.

I don’t know anything about Copey or his personal life, but there was so much anger in those punches.

In a pro bout on the same card, Noorrahman Amiri landed a beautiful flying knee to erase Adlan Beksultanov.

Tomas Mudroch vs. Petru Buzdugan
Robert Pukac vs. David Kozma
Lucia Szabova vs. Kalindra Faria
Jaime Cordero vs. Milan Datelinka

When you work in MMA, you need to be aware of the hazards, and we have plenty of signs up around Missed Fists headquarters. Watch for open cage doors is one, obviously. Another important one, Beware of upkicks!

From Oktagon MMA 67 in Trinec, Czech Republic:

Petru Buzdugan must have skipped orientation day, because he was way too cavalier after tripping Tomas Mudroch to the mat. This isn’t even one of those situations where someone lingered at their opponent’s legs too long, Buzdugan was caught with a foot the face right as he was coming in. Mudroch followed with ground-and-pound, but Buzdugan was already finished.

Robert Pukac made sure to seal the deal in his fight, landing a surgical strike to kick off a flurry of on-point punches that left David Kozma limp.

Major props to undefeated bantamweight Lucia Szabova, who improved to 9-0 with a win over 31-fight veteran Kalindra Faria.

You don’t see too many standing Americanas, but Szabova pulled this one off through sheer grit and determination, sending the UFC, KSW, and WSOF veteran to a third straight loss.

Her effort was matched by Jaime Cordero, who went for an arm-triangle from bottom positions and ended up rolling his opponent all the way over.

Amazing strength and technique? Poor submission defense? You be the judge.

Kacper Klasa vs. Mikolaj Krukowski

Is it possible to shove someone into unconsciousness?

From a First Step Championship event in Bytow, Poland:

Kacper Klasa’s right hand did the job here, but the ensuing push was just so disdainful and Mikolaj Krukowski hit the canvas so hard, you have to assume it played a part in his demise. That was a lot of aggression packed into a 38-second knockout.

Elismar Lima vs. Diogo Silva

In the semifinals of a Centurion FC tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Elismar Lima straight pulverized Diogo Silva with a right hand.

Silva went for an immediate lie-down right after, which is understandable. You take a punch like that, you deserve to have a minute to yourself. Unfortunately for Lima, he went on to lose a decision to Andre Borges in the tournament final. He still won our hearts, though.

Dmitry Bikrev vs. Goity Dazaev

Face-plant KO outta nowhere!

Dmitry Bivol was the star of the weekend with his thrilling revenge win over Artur Beterbiev, but Dmitry Bikrev deserves his flowers, too. In the headlining bout of a Fight Nights Global event in Sochi, Russia, Bikrev let his right hand go and it landed directly on the side of Goity Dazaev’s head. Dazaev immediately belly-flopped, which makes this our Humpty Dumpty Fall of the Week.

And now, on to the speed round!

Roza Knysh got it done in 12 seconds!

Somehow, that wasn’t the fastest finish of the week, as Tamerlan Ashakhanov had Knysh beat with his NINE-second knockout.

People got places to be, I guess.

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If you know of a recent fight or event that you think may have been overlooked, or a promotion that could use some attention, please let us know on X — @AlexanderKLee — using the hashtag #MissedFists.