Despite MMA being a noteworthy sport for more than two decades, there’s still the occasional time when something occurs that’s never been seen before.
That’s what went down Thursday at CFFC 94, when Khetag Pliev had his left ring finger severed completely off his hand in his co-main event bout with Devin Goodale.
It was a crazy scene in the UFC Fight Pass-streamed bout from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. After the second round of the 180-pound catchweight contest was completed, Pliev (5-2) went back to his corner and there was some unusual panic from the doctor and cornerman.
Everyone soon came to the realization that Pliev’s finger was not sticking out of his glove as it should’ve been, and it was unclear what had happened to it (via Twitter):
Wtfffffff pic.twitter.com/FeXHo0ZzDL
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) April 2, 2021
The fight immediately wass waved off – with Goodale (4-0) the winner – and the search for Pliev’s finger began. The PA announcer told those in attendance that the appendage was missing, and cageside commentator CM Punk made a chilling statement.
“It wasn’t a compound fracture. It wasn’t a break. His finger is gone,” Punk said.
Upon further investigation of the tape, the issue appears to have stemmed from Goodale landing a series of kicks to Pliev’s hand. The kicks seemed to damage the finger, and the separation came during subsequent grappling exchanges and adjustments to the glove from Pliev (via Twitter):
The second kick is where the finger gets broken #CFFC94 pic.twitter.com/7AeJktkJuk
— Jim (@ItAlways420) April 2, 2021
Ok, I rewatched Goodale vs. Pliev and saw what happened. His finger broke, and then after some grappling exchanges, it snapped all the way back and off, where it lodged into his glove as if he bent the joint all the way back the other direction until kapow. #CFFC94
— Jay Pettry (@jaypettry) April 2, 2021
At the conclusion of the main event, CFFC president Rob Haydak revealed the finger was found on the inside of Pliev’s glove. He was immediately transported to hospital, where it’s to be reattached.
Haydak posted a graphic image of Pliev’s hand as he left the venue (via Instagram):
Complete CFFC 94 results included:
- Evan Cutts def. Bassil Hafez via split decision (49-46, 47-48, 48-47) – to win welterweight title
- Devin Goodale def. Khetag Pliev via TKO (injury) – Round 2, 5:00
- Solomon Renfro def. Nick Alley via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:30
- Earl Small def. Adam Wamsley via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:05
- Timothy Cuamba def. Frank Wells via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jonathan Piersma def. Tommy Majeski via submission (omoplata) – Round 2, 0:49
