A video has gone viral from the 2024 European No-Gi Championship showing a black belt trying to kick his opponent after getting hit with a mercy grip wristlock.
What Happened?
At the 2024 European No-Gi Championship, there was a match at Master 1 black belt between Lima Junior and Martinez Bazarate.
The match starts, and the two lock up in mercy grips, interlocking their hands. Junior used the grip to snap down on a quick wrist lock, and Bazarate screamed in pain.
Right after the competitors disengaged, Bazarate angrily kicked Junior, which was easily caught. After the kick, the referee finally decided to step in and disqualified Bazarte for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Punishment For Bazarate
The IBJJF hasn’t issued an official press release about the altercation from the 2024 European No-Gi Championship. However, it’s safe to assume Bazarate will getting suspended. It was a nasty wrist lock, but you can’t be throwing kicks at your opponent at a grappling event.
Another thing from the video that many commenters have pointed out was the slow reaction from the referee. After Bazarate screams, the referee doesn’t come in to stop the fight.
He only decided to step in after the kick was thrown. This was an error on the official’s part for not stepping in quickly.
All IBJJF referees are instructed to stop a fight whenever a competitor screams out in pain.
Never Interlock Your Fingers
I’m unsure why, but many No-Gi athletes are starting to interlock their hands with their opponents. In many gyms, there’s been a long-standing rule never to do this because you will get hit with a nasty wristlock. (Pete The Greek shows this technique in wristlock instructional.)
This video should be a warning to any grappler who thinks trading mercy grips with your opponent is okay. You could get hits with a quick wrist lock that could snap your wrist.
Bobby is martial artist for almost 20 years with a BJJ black belt under Professor Sergio Miranda. He is also a karate black and former combat sports athlete, who loves all things grappling.
