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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Farah Hannoun, The Blue Corner

‘How is he OK?’: Somehow an incredibly tight rear-naked choke didn’t finish this fight

Alphonse Viny Bessala has no quit in him.

Bessala was caught in a deep rear-naked choke in Round 1 of his UAE Warriors 32: Africa fight against Ekonian Andenet, which aired on UFC Fight Pass, but refused to tap.

While referee Marc Goddard closely watched on, Bessala appeared to be en route to lose consciousness, but somehow was still moving his limbs to show he was not out just yet. After doing everything to choke Bessala out, Andenet eventually let go.

Check out the highlight below:

Bessala was close to mounting an incredible comeback of his own by submitting Andenet with a guillotine. It appeared Andenet may have tapped, but Goddard didn’t see it.

Bessala lost the fight by split decision, but a valiant effort and incredible heart was shown nonetheless.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

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