Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Frank Mir didn’t see it coming so you know just how unusual Ali Bagov’s fight-winning choke was.
On the main card of ACB 54 in Manchester, Russia’s Bagov put Bellator veteran Bubba Jenkins to sleep in the second round.
And it came out of nowhere.
After taking Jenkins’ back Bagov appeared to be setting up an armbar, as noted by Mir, who was on commentary duty for the evening.
Ali Bagov puts Bubba Jenkins to sleep! #ACB54 https://t.co/r3r3dIPKwQ
— ACA MMA (@ACA_League) March 11, 2017
“Oh his arm’s going to get stretched out here,” the former UFC heavyweight champion said.
But rather than work on his opponent’s right arm, Bagov astutely dug his calf into Jenkins’ throat in a modified reverse triangle.
In a matter of moments, Jenkins’ eyes had rolled into the back of his head but it was lucky that a referee as experienced as Herb Dean was sharing the cage with the fighters as he recognised the danger and immediately pulled the submission apart once Jenkins went out.
Officiating in mixed martial arts is often a thankless task as referees deal with waves of abuse from fight fans for any contentious decisions.
So it was great to see Dean praised for his wherewithal on Saturday night.
@HerbDeanMMA Ultimate respect for u, seeing Bubba Jenkins was more than in trouble. None better than you. Still amazed & glad u saw/stopped.
— William Roth (@ABillroth2) March 12, 2017
@acb_league @Grabyo look at @HerbDeanMMA did an excellent job there recognized it called it
— Aaron Gilbert (@Agezza71) March 12, 2017
@LaCrumbes Great job by Herb Dean here.
— Andrew Lawrence (@chaos_omega) March 12, 2017
@acb_league top class reffing @HerbDeanMMA ? good spot.
— Andy Pearson (@andypearson86) March 12, 2017
@acb_league Insane submission and well spotted by @HerbDeanMMA
— David Richardson (@DavePRichardson) March 11, 2017
nifty work by @HerbDeanMMA no doubt about that https://t.co/n3BKCrtx3c
— GambLou (@GambLou) March 11, 2017
Wow, what a great stoppage from herb Dean. Bubba Jenkins was in a world of trouble #ACB54
— Billy O’Donovan (@Odonovanb21) March 11, 2017
What!?? Crazy sub by Ali Bogov puts Bubba to sleep. Great job by Herb Dean. #ACB54
— Nick Thompson (@nthompson1988) March 11, 2017
