We’re not sure everyone in the MMA community will agree with the actions of amateur fighter Mike Pantangco but it’s a pretty amazing display of sportsmanship nonetheless.
Pantangco went up against Jeremy Rasner in a Prison City Fight League match, an amateur contest, recently and was in complete control of the fight when, to the surprise of everyone present (particularly his opponent), he tapped out, congratulated Rasner on his victory and then helped parade him to the crowd.
Explaining his decision afterwards, Pantangco said: “I just feel that there’s no point fighting him because he didn’t train against me and I didn’t train for him and I just feel like we’re amateur fighters.
“We don’t get money. We don’t get paid and I know that the only thing I’m going to finish the fight is him to go in the hospital or get hurt. I just feel terrible so I’m just going to give him the win.”
The clip of Pantangco’s incredible act of sportsmanship has already been viewed almost half a million times on YouTube at the time of writing and has generated quite a debate in the comments section.
Many would argue that the referee is there to protect the well-being of the fighters involved, but at the same time, this was an amateur fight and the compassion displayed by Pantangco as well as the fact that he valued the health of his opponent over the personal gain he would have taken from an inevitable victory, surely deserves to be lauded and commended.
What do you think? Feel free to let us know in the comment box below
Video via YouTube/AXS TV Fights
