Anyone who thinks that MMA fighters are barbaric, blood-thirsty hooligans who’s sport should be banned needs to watch this clip.
When it was announced that promotional newcomer Darrell Horcher would be stepping in on short notice to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC Tampa, nobody gave him a chance in hell of winning.
In fact, few people thought he would make it out of the first round against arguably the greatest lightweight in the sport. However, although Horcher walked out like a man walking to the gallows, he wasn’t willing to accept everyone’s low expectations of him.
He came to fight.
https://twitter.com/TheJivemaster/status/721499396253331456?lang=en
Nurmagomedov dominated the fight from start to finish, using that Sambo pedigree to ragdoll his opponent around the cage. However, he was not able to put Horcher away inside the first round, as many people felt he would.
It wasn’t for lack of trying either, Khabib almost finished the fight in the opening stanza, but Horcher showed the heart of a champion against the undefeated fighter who holds a win over the current lightweight king to hang in there until he was saved by the bell.
Then, in the second round, Horcher simply couldn’t take any more punishment and the referee stepped in and brought the catchweight contest to a close.
After 728 days away from the Octagon, @TeamKhabib is back! 👊 #UFCTampa https://t.co/cYsaTKJ2N5
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) April 17, 2016
Horcher was clearly devastated by being thoroughly outclassed by a superior fighter after the fight had ended. The frustrated fighter looked like he was about to flip his lid and lash out on the cage after he got back to his feet.
Khabib saw what was happening though, and rushed in to console his opponent. He gave Horcher a big hug, some words of encouragement and raised his hand up high to the cheering crowd in appreciation for him saving his return to fighting following the withdrawal of Tony Ferguson.
And here’s me thinking this was a vicious bloodsport that only barbarians take part in.
@TeamKhabib thank you for the opportunity. You are an extremely tough guy. 💪 I may take you up on the training at some point!
— Darrell Horcher (@HorcherMMA) April 17, 2016
