We may never see a more brutal fight.
The world of combat sports has its traditionalists — those who follow mixed martial arts and boxing for the elite skill and technical displays of brilliance. For those who fall into another category, that of the utterly bizarre, there is no shortage of options.
From controversial slap fighting (Dana White’s new obsession) to bare-knuckle boxing on shipping containers above water (courtesy of Russia) to jiu-jitsu in cars (‘CarJitsu’, of course), the fight game has its odd, comedic, and outright ridiculous corners.
The latest creation, though, might be the strangest of them all.
UFC veterans Hector Lombard and Cheick Kongo compete at Pillow Fight Championship
For those who grew up defying their parents’ orders to leave a sibling alone and halt an onslaught of pillow attacks, we have just the sport for you.
The Pillow Fight Championship staged its latest event this past Friday night, with former UFC standouts Cheick Kongo and Hector Lombard doing battle in a sport so brutal that it should come with disclaimers.
Kongo fought Lombard in a pillow super fight on ESPN, with the Hush super fight championship on the line. Stakes clearly could not have been higher for the two, who have competed in sold-out arenas against some of MMA’s greatest names.
Lombard has memorably knocked out Rousimar Palhares, Nate Marquardt and many others during a 49-fight MMA career that has featured fights under the banners of the UFC, Deep, Pride, and Bellator, where he was the inaugural middleweight champion.
‘Lightning’ did not need his heavy fists on Friday night, as he effectively used a pillow to beat Kongo (there’s a sentence I never expected to write).
The 50-year-old Frenchman also fought in both UFC and Bellator, where he’s perhaps best known for one of the greatest comebacks of all time. Kongo recovered to knock out Pat Barry in 2011 after being close to going out himself.
A bout between athletes with a combined age of 97 would usually receive significant pushback, but we think the veterans of the fight game might be safe in this promotion.
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Fans react to UFC legends facing off in a pillow fight
When clips of the two MMA vets launching pillows at one another inside a ring spread online, combat sports fans quickly gave their takes on the bizarre sport. Suffice it to say, views were split…
Many are on board and got some comic relief from the ‘fight’.
“This is hilarious.”
“They should be wearing pyjamas.”
“Would Jones return for a pillow fight with Aspinall.”
“That’s actually funny. Can’t be mad at them for having some fun.”
“Wow I always wanted to see Lombard vs. Kongo…and now we get it in pillow fighting. Truly a man’s dream.”
“Feel like it’d be way better if they had a pillow in each hand.”
“In the era of 98-year-old Mike Tyson losing to a roided-up loser, this is the best outcome for retired MMA fighters.”
Others, though, did not see the funny side.
“Nah this is absolute absurd and ridiculous.”
“This is embarrassing man.”
“Stop it.”
“ESPN left boxing to broadcast this.”
“Beyond sad programming. ESPN value sinking lower.”