Issue 178

May 2019

After the online meltdown in the wake of Matt Mitrione’s kick, we highlight the victims of the worst groin shots in the history of the sport.

Chris Tuchscherer

It took just 11 seconds for Gabriel Gonzaga’s left shin to soar into Chris Tuchscherer’s jewels. Somehow, ‘The Crowbar’ struggled to his feet but he was in no state to stop himself from being beaten down.

Joe Son

Strikes to the nether regions weren’t illegal in the UFC’s early days, but to aim directly at them? At UFC 4, Keith Hackney didn’t care and fired seven unanswered right hooks directly at Joe Son’s sack.

Paul Felder

Bad enough to be kicked in one’s most valuable assets. Worse, when it’s a spinning back-kick. Now imagine that at full velocity from Muay Thai monster, Edson Barboza. Agony ensued for ‘The Irish Dragon’.

Mirko Cro Cop

Cheick Kongo kneed Cro Cop in his junk at UFC 75. Two fights later at Dream 6, Alistair Overeem got him even worse between the legs. To add insult to injury, Fedor Emelianenko was ringside, laughing.

Ze Wu

The most convoluted attack on the meat and two veg we’ve ever seen. Yang Jian Bing executed a flip to perform a flying stomp on his Chinese opponent at ONE Championship 28.

Aorigele

Seven seconds into his Road FC encounter with Myung Hyun-Man, the giant Chinese heavyweight, Aorigele found himself on the wrong end of a mighty kick in the balls. Tears ensued, followed by hospital. Ooof!

Sergei Kharitonov

The most recent below-the-belt attack came from Matt Mitrione during his Bellator 215 match against Sergei Kharitonov. The fight was ultimately declared a no contest as the shot was delivered after only 15 seconds.