MMA fans have seen their fair share of strange endings, but what happened at LFA 201 left many shocked. The fight between Paulo Henrique Laia and Vladimir Kanunnikov was shaping up to be a dominant performance for the Russian contender until he made a crucial mistake that turned his victory into a no contest.
Kanunnikov entered the fight on an eight fight win streak and looked sharp early on, controlling the action on the ground. He landed heavy shots from top position and appeared to be closing in on a decisive win. However, things took a drastic turn when he placed his hand on Laia’s throat and applied illegal pressure.
The Illegal Move That Changed Everything
Under the Unified Rules of MMA, strikes or deliberate grabs to the trachea are not allowed. While fighters can apply chokes using their arms, grabbing the throat with fingers is not permitted. Kanunnikov, whether unaware or reckless in the moment, extended his fingers across Laia’s throat while landing vicious elbows. The sequence ended with Laia knocked out cold, but the referee quickly stepped in after realizing what had happened.
Despite the clear violation, Kanunnikov was not disqualified. Instead, the officials ruled the fight a no contest. The controversial moment erased his win and left fans debating whether the punishment was strong enough.
Bizarre scene at LFA. The fight between Paulo Henrique and Vladimir Kanunnikov is ruled a No Contest after the referee ruled Kanunnikov illegally grabbed his trachea.
To make things more confusing he knocked Henrique out in the process of the stoppage. #LFA201 pic.twitter.com/VRKpMEptAP
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 8, 2025
Kanunnikov had the fight in his control but lost his chance at victory with a decision that went against the rules. His future in LFA is now uncertain, and it remains to be seen if he will face any suspension. As for Laia, recovering from the knockout will be his first priority before stepping back into the cage.
This fight serves as a reminder that even in a sport known for its intensity, some rules cannot be broken.
