Archive for "Nov 25 2009"

The top 5 worst fouls in UFC history

Rules and UFC have a slated past. When it was first started the UFC liked to tout how they were a new sport that was not restrained by time limits, weight classes, and most importantly rules. However as the sport evolved so did the rulebook in an attempt to protect fighters. Josh Koscheck may have acted like he may have received one of the worst fouls ever by the hands of Anthony Johnson, but in terms of actual fouls that “knee to the head” has nothing on the following five incidents that happened since UFC was created. Whether they were done because of instinct, malice, or just plain stupidity we take a look back at the 5 worst fouls in UFC history.

5. Fryklund v.s Chappell – UFC 14, Fryklund successfully wins in his match against Chappell by a submission choke. This however was not enough as at the end of the match Fryklund, as he walked away, hit Chappell with a late blow and stomp. Since this was old school UFC the lack of rules only got Fryklund a reprimand from the referees. Couple these old school rules with the fact that Fryklund apologized for his actions, he is saved from being any higher on this list.

4. Wes Sims v.s Frank Mir – UFC 43, Wes Sims is making his UFC debut against a young and successful Frank Mir. Right off the bat Sims tries to get Mir in a choke on the ground but after some scraping around Mir manages to almost get an armbar on Sims. Sims with his size is able to get lose, but this is not enough. Instinct kicks in and Sims starts landing stomps on Mir’s face. Not just any stomps, stomps with Mir’s neck AGAINST the cage and Sims was HOLDING the cage as he stomped Mir. Apparently Wes didn’t get the memo that this was UFC not PRIDE. Either way his actions got him a DQ and number 4 on this list.

3. Almeida v.s Lindland – It’s one thing when you make one foul during the heat of the moment and get a point taken off, but it’s another when you make the same mistake multiple times. UFC 31, Almeida is taking on wrestling skilled Lindland and is apparently frustrated with being taken to the ground. Almeida kicks Lindland in the head while he is down not once, not twice, but three different times. I get that maybe the first time you are going off instinct, but after that you should be able to learn to check yourself and make sure you are doing clean hits. Almeida’s actions also landed him a DQ by the hands of Big John McCarthy, and we give bonus kudos to Lindland for somehow eating three head kicks.

2. Burns v.s Johnson – I’m willing to give Burns the benefit of the doubt that his hand really was broken and that he really couldn’t close his fist correctly when he was throwing his strikes, but it still doesn’t take away from the horribleness of the fouls he did. Fight Night 14, Burns and Johnson are squaring off for the first time in the octagon and Burns pokes Johnson in the eye on four separate occasions with the last eye poke causing Johnson to hit the mat writhing in pain. As any fan knows, the eyes are the Achilles heal of a fighter. They can be easily damaged and be the easiest way to end a fighters career. All fighters should know to avoid such a foul at all costs. Salt was poured on this wound when Steve “worst ref in the world” Mazzagatti gave Burns the TKO. It’s ok though, Johnson would get his revenge later with a legit knockout kick to Burns’ head at the TUF 8 finale.

1. Babalu v.s Heath – UFC 74, Babalu is facing off against David Heath. Anyone who was paying attention to the customary pre fight trash talk knows that there was no love lost between these two. Even though trash talk is a part of the game, Babalu felt that he needed to teach Heath a lesson in going to sleep. In the second round Babalu placed Heath in an anaconda choke and refused to let go even after the ref demanded he did. Not only was this a gross disrespect for the rules and for his opponent, but it was done with 100% intent and malice. When fouls are done in the heat of the moment or from accidents there is always room for forgiveness, but when a foul is done with full intention and no remorse that cannot be tolerated. Babalu was released from the UFC after his act, but maybe he can feel better knowing that he will go down as committing the worst foul in UFC history.

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