The running list of who got "Punked" in 2022
Everyone’s favorite stat that took 2021 and 2020 by storm is back yet again. In previous years, I have waited until the end of the year to publish those who have been “Punked,” but this year, I am going to keep a running list…
For those not keeping up, a fighter can be considered “Punked” when they register zero knockdowns, significant strikes, takedowns or submission attempts in a UFC fight, much like CM Punk in his ill fated and often mocked UFC/MMA debut.
Danilo Marques vs. Jailton Almeida (2/5/2022)
In one of the longer Punks you are going to see, Marques managed to land nothing but two insignificant strikes in nearly three minutes of fight time. Almeida landed a pair of takedowns and 30 significant ground strikes on the floor before finishing the fight.
Michael Gillmore vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (2/26/2022)
Brahimaj appeared to be a different level of grappler against Gillmore. He scored a takedown early in the fight, maneuvered to the back and finished via rear naked choke. One could argue that Gillmore defended resiliently since Brahimaj had to adjust and ended up with three submission attempts. However, the result was never really in doubt.
Not only did Brahimaj Punk his opponent, but he also did not land a significant strike himself.
It is also impressive that Brahimaj nearly had a Punk in his second UFC fight, but Sasha Palatnikov was able to land a single significant strike before submitting last year.
Chase Sherman vs. Alexandr Romanov (4/30/2022)
Romanov entered the cage as the biggest betting favorite in MMA history. While that may have seemed extreme to some, he dispatched his bare knuckle boxing opponent in under three minutes without absorbing anything. Romanov landed all three of his takedown attempts eventually finished Sherman with a keylock from the mount position.
PFL Punk: Jamelle Jones vs. Renan Ferreira (4/28/2022)
Ferreira absolutely blitzed Jones off the start and finished the fight in only 25 seconds. In true PFL fashion, they still made it a point to put their stat graphic on the broadcast. The SmartCage will not be denied.
Parker Porter vs. Jailton Almeida (5/21/2022)
Almeida decided to do his best Khamzat Chimaev impression in 2022 and pick up multiple “Punks” in the same calendar year. After punking Marques in February, he returned in late May and dispatched Porter. Almedia landed only one significant strike at distance, but he quickly scored a takedown and landed 17 significant strikes on the floor to close to the show. Not only did Porter land nothing, but he also did not even manage a single attempt before being finished.
DWCS Punk: Anvar Boynazarov vs. Erik Silva (8/9/2022)
Boynazarov had an extensive kickboxing career with some impressive victories under the Glory banner. He made his MMA debut last year and earned this shot on the Tuesday night show after picking up three victories. The matchmakers did not do him any favors. His opponent clearly had enough grappling skill to neutralize Boynazarov’s kickboxing. Silva scored a takedown in the first 10 seconds and finished the bout with 11 significant strikes on the ground. Boynazarov landed nothing and got “Punked,” while Silva walked away with a UFC contract.
PFL Punk: Dylan Potter vs. Marcelo Nunes (8/5/2022)
Potter managed only one strike attempt before he was stuck to the ground. Nunes took his time on top, but it was only a matter of time before he locked up the fight-ending arm-triangle choke. With the victory, Nunes earned himself a berth in the 2023 PFL heavyweight tournament. The fight was over so quickly, the SmartCage was not able to give us any strike speeds. Nunes might have won, but it was a loss for everyone else.
DWCS Punk: Zachary Borrego vs. Bo Nickal (8/9/2022)
Not only did Borrego fail to land a single strike before submitting against the former Hodge Trophy winner, he did not even manage to attempt a single strike. Nickal has won his first two professional MMA fights in only 95 seconds and absorbed virtually no damage.
PFL Punk: Vojto Barborík vs. Maxim Radu (8/13/2022)
Barborik and Radu had a bit of a grappling scramble to start the fight. However, Barborik’s knee got stuck under him in a reverse, and the fight was over due to injury. Referee, and swollen individual, Gary Copeland was a bit late on the stoppage, so Radu was able to land his best punch of the fight after it was over. This was a qualifier for the 2023 PFL lightweight tournament even though both of the competitors came into this contest off a loss.
DWCS Punk: Ivan Valenzuela vs. Claudio Ribeiro (8/16/2022)
For the second-straight week there was a “Punk” on the UFC’s Tuesday night feeder show. Ribeiro needed only four landed significant strikes and 25 seconds to stop Valenzuela and earn a UFC contract.
Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Abus Magomedov (9/3/2022)
Magomedov made his UFC debut in style as he bested Stoltzfus in only 19 seconds on the undercard of the promotion’s debut in France. He scored a knockdown and landed all seven of his significant strikes before the finish.
Kevin Holland vs. Khamzat Chimaev (9/10/2022)
For the fourth time in only six UFC fights, Chimaev was able to punk his opponent. He immediately went to his wrestling in the makeshift co-main event of UFC 279. Holland was game in the scrambles for a few moments, but he was never able to extricate himself from the grappling realm. Outside of his decision victory over Gilbert Burns, Chimaev has absorbed only one significant strike.
DWCS Punk: Donovan Beard vs. Bo Nickal (9/27/2022)
After two fights on the Contenders Series, the former national wrestling champion at Penn State has collected two victories and a UFC contract. In the process, he has absorbed zero significant strikes. Nickal had a quick rear-naked choke in his debut. This time he landed a huge shot on the feet before finishing the bout with a triangle choke. He has remained basically untouched in his MMA career.