The Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) featuring the best of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), invites the very best grapplers of the martial art to battle it out within the confines of steel. This year’s event, being held in Philadelphia, was the subject of focus with a bizarre incident occurring in the contest between American Amanda Mazza and her opponent Emily Hansen on Saturday, the 20th of September.
The crowd at CFFC BJJ 15 were stunned into silence as Mazza, with a record of five victories and three defeats, applied a rear-naked choke on her opponent. As her fellow American attempted to break free to avoid submission, the pressure applied by Mazza was enough to snap her OWN arm to the shock and amazement of the audience.
Amidst the confusion, Mazza released her grip on Hansen and immediately checked on her opponent. The former had mistakenly concluded that her hold had been enough to break the latter’s jaw – not realising that it was her own arm that was in fact broken. The injury to Amanda confirmed victory for Emily Hansen in the most bizarre of circumstances.
Fans attending the event were quick to express their views on what had taken place inside the cage. “Wow. Never seen that,” one supporter remarked following the audible snap heard around the arena. “Did not know that could happen,” another added, as the unique nature of Mazza’s injury ended the contest with three minutes and 40 seconds left of the round.
Unsurprisingly, broken bones are not unheard of in combat sports. One of the more high-profile injuries of this nature came during a 2013 contest between Chris Weidman and Anderson “The Spider” Silva held in Las Vegas, Nevada at UFC 168. A kick aimed at Weidman by Anderson resulted in Silva shattering his tibia and fibula. As a result, Weidman was awarded a second round victory.
Fighters React to Unusual Stoppage
Amanda Mazza reviewed her misfortune on social media after beginning the contest strongly. The American stated on Instagram: “Sometimes this sport gives you victories you can’t measure on the scoreboard. I controlled the match and pushed myself to get the finish, but in the battle my forearm broke with torque of the choke against her chin.”
Despite the horrific nature of her injury, the American grappler remains upbeat about her recovery, as she continued: “Thank you everyone for the love & sweet messages. I’m still smiling & will be back & better.”
She also took the positives from the contest by adding: “That mat return though. Damn I felt good out there. So good I didn’t even feel my arm crack on her chin.”
Eyeing her return to the cage, Mazza continued: “The journey definitely doesn’t stop here, this is just the beginning of a stronger, hungrier version of me. The comeback will be beautiful.”