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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Christian D'Andrea

MMA heavyweight avoids TKO by kicking opponent square in the beans

MMA Tim Johnson Danilo Marques PFL ESPN

MMA is a violent, occasionally beautiful sport. At its best, it pairs two elite athletes in a chess match of concussive strikes and savvy grappling. At its worst, it’s a slopfest where an overmatched opponent can save himself with stupid technique or illegal strikes.

On Thursday, the Professional Fighters League gave us the latter.

In a battle between heavyweights Tim Johnson and Danilo Marques, Johnson uncorked a massive left hand that sent his opponent sprawling to the canvas. He was unable to follow up, however, because Marques blasted a kick right to his cup at the exact same moment. Marques shook off the cobwebs and assumed he’d won, only to be reassured by the referee that, no, none of that was even remotely legal.

Johnson needed about three minutes of stoppage time to shake off the foul Despite the setback, he still managed to rally. Moments later, he dropped Marques en route to a first round TKO.

After the fight, Johnson discussed his roller coaster win.

“That hurt. That was definitely the worst groin strike I’ve ever had,” Johnson told former fighter turned interviewer Dan Hardy. “I didn’t know. I just heard everyone booing. So I was like ‘I’m sorry guys, I just got kicked in the groin. I’m trying.’ Then I found out they were booing at Danilo so, whatever.”

Johnson improved to 17-9 — and 1-0 in the PFL — with the win.

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