Spinning Backfist Leads to Brutal Finish to Russian MMA Fight

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Spinning backfists can be a feast-or-famine business. If it misses? You end up putting yourself at serious risk for a counter (or, worse, end up like Chael Sonnen back at UFC 148). But if it hits? You get something like this.

At ProFC 62 in Rostov, Russia, Artur Alibulatov blasted Boris Miroshnichenko with a spinning backfist and finished him with strikes in the second round of their fight. Check out the video here:

At striking range after nearly 10 minutes of action, Miroshnichenko badly misreads Alibulatov's motion and eats the backfist cleanly, falling forward on the canvas. While he quickly gets back to his feet, he is visibly unsteady, and Alibulatov pours on punishment. Miroshnichenko tries to fire back, but his unsteadiness invites counterpunches, which land hard to finish the fight.

It was a big win for Alibulatov after not competing in the cage in 2016 and advances his record to 18-2. Hopefully, the Russian can make his way to Western promotions, so fans can see him against some stiffer competition.