Indeed, a memorable moment from the LFA 160 face-off between Josiah Harrell and Mike Roberts was captured, turning viral as acknowledged by the referee.
In the heat of a strenuous Friday night duel in Owensboro, Ky., Harrell, the undefeated, powered a takedown maneuver and remarkably forced Roberts through the door of the cage.
It took a moment for Roberts to comprehend what had transpired. Meanwhile, the referee realized it immediately after taking one glance at the scene.
“It only sank in when the referee approached, checked on me and said, ‘We’re going viral.’ All of it happened in a blur,” Harrell shared with MMA Hook. “My initial response was, ‘Oh, s***.’”
In reality, Harrell had no intention of testing the durability of the cage. His exchange with Roberts’ coaches was ongoing just before the incident.
“We were in the moment, and I pointed and conversed with his coaches during the third round,” Harrell recalled. “I was hearing both my coaches and his, taking note of his coaches’ advice and responding to it. As I kept my offense ongoing, I guided him towards the cage, aligning him perfectly with the door.”
The next move was all instinct as Harrell spotted a chance.
“I planned a fake move, then aimed to go down and shoot. I anticipated colliding with the cage, elevating, and keeping his back against the cage to commence ground and pound. However, as I went to lift up after hitting the cage, I realized it wasn’t there anymore. By that point, he was almost falling out of the cage,” he detailed.
After a brief interruption, the fight carried on and ended with Harrell winning by a TKO about two minutes after the restart, maintaining his unblemished 7-0 record with victories in all his fights.
In his 2023 debut, Harrell was keen on proceeding post the viral incident. He was sure that the referee would let the bout resume given his opponent hadn’t suffered an injury from the fall.
“I was aware that Mike was a tough competitor. He wouldn’t concede to injuries easily,” Harrell added. “The adrenaline pumping through me reassured that I was okay to continue the fight.”
Harrell mentioned that he has been on the UFC’s radar and is hopeful that he would get a chance on the Contender Series or an outright sign-up before the end of the year. “Muscle Hamster” aims to secure a contract with the UFC by December.
Expecting a surge of attention due to the unusual incident, Harrell felt no pressure to defeat Roberts. However, the restart of the fight did inject a sense of urgency.
“I admit it did make me more urgent,” Harrell stated. “I decided to switch from maintaining the current pace to pushing myself, trying to outmatch him. I became slightly more reckless, pressing forward but not completely dismissing defense. I aimed to seize the victory if the opportunity presented itself, without being careless.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Josiah Harrell LFA 160 viral moment
What was the viral moment at LFA 160?
The viral moment at LFA 160 was when Josiah Harrell, in a fight against Mike Roberts, executed a takedown that ended up propelling Roberts through the door of the cage.
Who was Josiah Harrell’s opponent at LFA 160?
Josiah Harrell’s opponent at LFA 160 was Mike Roberts.
How did Josiah Harrell react after the viral incident?
After the viral incident, Josiah Harrell was initially surprised but then resumed the fight without any hesitation. He even won the fight via TKO a few minutes after the match restarted.
Did Josiah Harrell intentionally drive Mike Roberts through the cage door?
No, Harrell didn’t intentionally drive Roberts through the cage door. It happened as part of a takedown maneuver during the fight.
What was the outcome of the LFA 160 fight between Josiah Harrell and Mike Roberts?
Josiah Harrell won the LFA 160 fight against Mike Roberts. The fight was stopped temporarily after Harrell unintentionally pushed Roberts through the cage door, but it resumed, ending with Harrell’s victory by a TKO.
What are Josiah Harrell’s future plans in MMA?
Josiah Harrell has been on the UFC’s radar and hopes to get a chance on the Contender Series or be signed outright before the year ends. His aim is to secure a contract with the UFC by December.
More about Josiah Harrell LFA 160 viral moment
- Josiah Harrell’s MMA Record
- LFA 160 Match Recap
- Details about the Viral Moment
- Interview with Josiah Harrell
- UFC’s Contender Series
6 comments
I say Harrell’s on the fast track to the UFC. The guys a powerhouse and knows how to put on a show!
That viral moment… damn! bet no one was expecting that! not even the ref hahah.
Harrell’s got the moves, no doubt. But it’s MMA, anything can happen. Hope Mike’s okay after that takedown.
jus watched the clip, harrell’s move was insane! Never seen anything like it before. Can’t wait to see him in the UFC.
Wow, harrell is a beast! That takedown tho, man it was epic. Mike was tough as nails too. props to both fighters.
oh my, that must have been scary for roberts! Props to the ref for handling the situation well.