Video: Massive insect causes hilarious mid-bout timeout at CFFC 99

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, MMA finds a way to catch you off guard.

Saturday at CFFC 99, a sudden and unexpected wildlife sighting in Biloxi, Miss., caused an unexpected timeout mid-fight during the co-main event between former UFC and Bellator fighter Nah-Shon Burrell and the infamous mid-fight finger-loser Khetag Pliev.

As Burrell (18-11) and Pliev (5-2) built the tempo of their high-paced slugfest, a giant green moth swooped seemingly out of nowhere and visibly startled the combatants. As Burrell dodged the dive-bombing creature, the referee intervened to ensure it exited the fighting surface.

Meanwhile, Pliev remained unfazed. The man lost his finger last fight. Do you think a little (big) bug is going to rattle him? Nah.

Anyway, the crowd oohed, aahed and laughed as the bug, which may have qualified as a bird by some standards, flew upward and mounted itself on the light.

Like many viewers (and fellow staff reporters), MMA Junkie senior editor John Morgan and his broadcast partner CM Punk had a field day with what transpired.

“We’ve got a rather large flying insect that has invaded the Fitz Tunica Casino and Hotel,” Morgan said. “Fortunately, our referee has ushered the insect out of the fighting surface.”

Punk added, “Let’s take a replay right here and we’ll see what happens. You see Nah-shon Burrell looking good with his boxing, and then, right here, stuffs this takedown from the moth, who then immediately flies away. (That was) kind of dirty pool by the moth, if you ask me.”

Perfectly played by both men on the call, if you ask me.

Check out the hilarious clip below:

Insect in the cage alert! Burrell wanted no part of it! #CFFC99 pic.twitter.com/5LzzfPqcJC

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) August 15, 2021

This is precisely why I love the madness that is regional MMA. Sure, it’s cool to see the next generation of talent and the violent finishes that come along with it. However, this is the sort of stuff that really keeps me going – things you would never see in the UFC and are so bizarre they have you doing a double-take.

Whatever combat sport this moth tortures next, it will enter undefeated inside the cage – and in our hearts.

P.S. Oh, and as for the fight, Burrell went on to win by knockout in a bonkers Round 2. I highly recommend you check that out below, too.

And Nah-Shon Burrell gets the walkoff KO! #CFFC99

Dang! pic.twitter.com/fMgGHALkDg

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) August 15, 2021

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.