

MMA has been contested in many types of cages. The Octagon rules the chart because of the UFC. But apart from this, it is performed in Circle, Rings, and other different shaped cages. Yet, the base/canvas remains a uniform padded area. But a new MMA promotion introduced sand as the canvas, with a ring as a cage. Though the ring is not an issue, the sand gripping for fighters is something new and perhaps worrisome.
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The viral clip is getting lots of comments from fight fans who are intrigued by it. However, they are also worried about fighters.
The clip is not a new one and has surfaced on the internet before. That said, fight fanatics had a lot of remarks to make about the video of fighters knocking out each other in the sand.
New MMA org just dropped. Sand ring. Phenomenal stuff. pic.twitter.com/UBj3MxymjW
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) July 19, 2022
Some noted to UFC President Dana White that the Fight Island canvas should’ve looked like the one shown in the video.
Now THAT’S fight island! Take notes Dana.
— JohnnyRingo (@JohnnyR27340249) July 19, 2022
This is how fight island should've looked like
— Unchained (@PluckyDuckE) July 20, 2022
The work of the referees, who were seen protecting the knocked-out fighters from further blows, impressed a few.
Refs seem better than the UFC guys lol
— Ritchandmeaty (@ritchandmeaty) July 19, 2022
@CourtneyAnto some powerful stoppages there😮
— Gerard Morris (@GerardMorris2) July 20, 2022
A fan remembered the corner work during Tony Ferguson‘s fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. Apparently, one cornerman from team ‘El Cucuy’ corner told him to throw sand at his opponent ‘The Highlight‘.
Tony Ferguson would dominate pic.twitter.com/i5Nfbbxt5B
— player h8er (@JustinBanh) July 20, 2022
A few pointed out that the clip is from STRELKA – Street Fight Championship and they are not a new MMA promotion.
Strelka been around. Fantastic nonetheless
— watson (@rwatsonjenkins) July 19, 2022
i think i watched this video over 5 years ago
— moose knuckle (@CanadianMMAFan8) July 20, 2022
This not new
— COLT 4️⃣5️⃣ (@colt4575) July 19, 2022
Whereas, some were mostly worried about fighters getting face-planted into the sand.
Sand fighting is terrible because of imbalance where you stand can twist your ankle. I literally had a fight on a beach and when I jumped towards my opponent my foot got caught in a small sand-hole sideways and I fell on it completely destroying my ankle.
— Drake Cruz (@DrakeCruz83) July 20, 2022
Imagine getting knocked the fuck out and then having sand in your eye
— Tadj (@Tadj41810649) July 20, 2022
Anyhow, a new promotion or not, the video had the fans buzzing. Also, an interesting fact about the Russian promotion is that it has a lot of followers.
STRELKA is only second to UFC in terms of views in MMA
As aforementioned, the viral video is from the STRELKA promotion. The promotion claims to have the second best views on YouTube behind the global MMA leader.
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Besides, the promotion is not about all-out wars but has a specific rule-set. The promotion does not allow elbows strikes. Although they don’t have rounds or time limits. However, they do have professional judges and doctors during the events.
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The promotion started in 2011 in St. Petersburg. It offers trained and untrained a platform to compete against each other. Besides, the diversity in the fighters it has diverse locations in terms of where the bouts will take place.
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What do you make of the viral Sand fighting ring? Share your views in the comments.
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