UFC Fighters React to Medieval MMA feat. Elias Theodorou + Misha Cirkunov

Hit that SUBSCRIBE button for more #UFC and #MMA content!
UFC fighters Elias Theodorou and Misha Cirkunov sat down to watch some #Medieval MMA. See what they thought about and whether or not they would give it a go.
Follow Elias on Twitter and Instagram @EliasTheodorou and check out his KZbin channel The Mane Event. Follow Misha on Twitter and Instagram, too @MishaC911.
The Medieval MMA footage in this video comes from M-1 Medieval courtesy of M-1 Global (www.m1global.tv). You can follow M-1 on Facebook ( m1globalnews), Twitter (@m1globalnews) and Instagram (@m1global).

[@maceomaceo11]

Why in the hell does this look like so much fun when it has to be absolutely awful. All that extra weight, no peripheral vision, restricted breathing, the added heat from all the layers and no way for it to escape. It's beautiful.

[@seanconnolly9277]

It's more awful that they're just swinging the swords around without any technique.

[@shockwave6213]

@@seanconnolly9277 Medieval combat treatises and writings don't cover actual field combat in armor. Those techniques are too predictable and will get you killed in a battle. Those were created mostly for judicial or unarmored duels, self defense, shows and entertainment.

[@guillermoroldan4210]

Sean Connolly your objective is not to cut the opponent you just wanna hit him as hard as you can until he breaks down

[@Zetrao]

@@shockwave6213 ... no you´ve jsut said the opposite of what those treatises was written for...

[@charlottewalnut3118]

Sean Connolly swords can’t defeat armor shit tit

[@JetConvoy]

I love how Misha’s thoughts on the importance of grappling when fighting with armour is 100% correct. We need more MMA fighters in HEMA.

[@James.D.B.]

Or in Buhurt

[@corazzinatanner498]

I'm so glad they acknowledged how nasty those shield shots. The sword on impact, breaks at your wrist, but getting punched with the edge of 4lbs shield thats strapped to a guys forearm, and has the added weight behind it of the fighters arm harness, is absolutely a quick way to getting concussed, through a helmet.

[@ThePotatoPope]

Digging that they actually respect the fighters, so many MMA fans see those videos and don't get it at all.

[@masrr3678]

Douggie Sharpe cmon, its absurd.

[@theghosthero6173]

Well, neither it's a real armored fight, nor a fight of mma but in armor, in short, its two guys swinging around dull sword against each other without any kind of technics.

[@mixoris2966]

The GhostHero they do have technique. Even the professional fighters noticed it and commented on it.

[@theghosthero6173]

Mixoris it's not a professional mma fighter that could recognize good sword fighting techniques. Those guy are not protecting themselves correctly, they don't do lock, or just anything that could make them win more easily without killing their opponents. It's just for entertaining the crowd. Their is no point to fight like this and without techniques like that other than to be a distraction

[@beaupoopoo7542]

Well HEMA is a martial art, and that’s kind of the end word regarding it’s validity

[@Tombombadillo999]

Totally agree with the dude on the right . This sport would be so damn cool if played in a real castle, with hostorical decorations around. Smashing everything, finding proper paths.. 🤟🏻

[@Pastoreba]

Look up Battle of the Nations... its the world series of this sport and its always held in badass historical castles around europe

[@Stormcloakvictory]

Battle of nations is something different, this was M1, kind of Russia's ONE FC, they have kick boxing matches, MMA matches and these knight fights sometimes on the same card lol.

[@Kasaineko]

There are multiple leagues and there are big tournaments held every year at castles all over Europe.

[@Rumple4skin303]

IMCF, massive festival, everything for the most part is on point for the time. I have not seen a siege but their is castles. Archers are not used the only danger they cause is to the bystanders lol. I’d like to see a siege battle, attackers have to push all the way up to the lords hall to conquer. Could even do catapults with foam rocks! I mean the wind might take em but would be awesome in my opinion. Ugh the possibilities, It truly is an epic sport!

[@marccavalera9180]

That's what the SCA is for.

[@HansDavidian]

Misha's eyes lit up when he watched it.

[@foolslayer9416]

This is like an early childhood dream for me. I haven't wanted to be a medieval knight since I was a kid.

[@voidcheque7019]

I like that “I would have to be more educated to see who the winner would be”.

[@BMetalJunkie]

Never seen them do medieval fights in an MMA ring. This is actually pretty fuckin' brutal 🤘😲🤘

[@kokofan50]

Well, you still haven’t. This is just idiots beating on each other in armor. Trying looking up HEMA (historic European martial arts).

[@AVGyerra22]

@@kokofan50 HEMA still has a couple of gaps in it since it's based of old manuscripts and some of them are lost, effective but has gaps. These guys aren't stupid, they've trained in armor since a guy who hasn't trained in them would get exhausted immediately. Even if they didn't train hema, they still trained, plus this is more of a sport than an actual fight. Your point?

[@kokofan50]

@@AVGyerra22 our knowledge may be imperfect, but we have more than enough to know that just beating on a man in armor with a sword is stupid. You know what, I don’t blame them either because if they were using the right weapons and techniques, guys would be getting killed. I, also, don’t mean to insult their athleticism. What they do isn’t easy, even if it’s not accurate.

[@aquillassongbird3351]

I dabbled in SCA which is medieval re-enactments. I was in knight training. Armor, shields, and rattans or bamboo sticks. Matches will wear you out and if you don't have rib protection and get wacked in the ribs... it doesn't tickle. I find this to be absolutely bad ass. Real life medieval combat. Salute!!

[@noahgilbert8630]

These guys’ commentary is great. I love watching M-1. Separately, I’m not super gay but these two guys are very handsome.

[@christophercruz1513]

Dark Souls meet WWE

[@texdiddyable]

Ufc

[@FuhqEwe]

​@Wendy Statebolikurac M1 definitely isn't staged fights with choreographed combat by stunt performance professionals, but it certainly isn't realistic medieval combat. Just some guys in armor with blunted swords trying to beat each other up. It's fake medieval combat, hence the frequent comparison to the fake wrestling combat in the WWE.

[@nico-v113]

Nothing like WWE

[@godthegod4491]

Wait, did I miss the part where it was all fake like WWE? I didn't see any oiled up men in spandex underwear putting their face in each other's crotches either so I'm confused as to it's connection to WWE.

[@senpai7101]

Misha seems to be genuinely interested while Elias sees it as more of a joke

[@acewilliams7917]

How so when Elias showed enthusiasm right from the beginning? He said that he would love to try it out.

[@Ozymandias_1818]

I love these reaction vids u guys do

[@dedsur6625]

I want more of these Medival MMA reactions

[@MrNumberone1608]

He confused a mace with a flail

[@shaqmalakhy9428]

MrNumberone1608 yeah, flail has a chain

[@shaqmalakhy9428]

Weißer Wolf morning star is the double handed one right?

[@shaqmalakhy9428]

Weißer Wolf *i seem to be flailing around trying to explain*

[@Sin66siq]

savage banana mace has flanges, morning star has a spikeball, flail has either or on a chain

[@YukonBloamie]

I just stumbled on medieval fighting and found the International Medieval Fighting Federation cuz I couldn't figure out the rules. The team battles are awesome.

[@meles142]

I watched many medieval fighting matches and its wayy better live than on video. Especially 5vs5 matches xD

[@thoraxtheimp]

It's also way more fun to fight than watch lol

[@deathsythelui]

Any chance for a reaction to actual HEMA competition? Maybe watching the finals from last year's Longpoint and Swordfish tournaments?

[@noelgrassy4278]

.That's wild! Cool video!

[@The23Anonymous]

It must be really tough to get hit in the face with the edge of a shield repeatedly. On the other hand its really stupid and ineffective to hit an armored opponent with a sword on his armor. I bet the shield is the more effective weapon in that kind of fight.

[@MackV99]

This is a great channel!

[@steveoh9135]

YES!! I clicked right away, I love The battle of nations competitions

[@dickriver1102]

I had a rude awakening when I was attacked by mma fighter in 2017. But this is next level stuff.

[@TheRedFoxization]

I like how Misha is genuinely interested in that shit

[@berko2243]

Bro...this is the first sport that has my real interest

[@mikedlc9766]

LOVE THIS COMBAT !!!

[@matthewolson469]

I see two major problems with this sport: 1) The sword tip goes inside the eye hole and causes massive damage. They are not rounded to prevent that possibility. 2) How can the ref jump in to stop the fight as quickly as he needs to when he's exposed to the back swing / front swing of a sword. Dull or not, it would do massive damage to naked flesh, especially if the blow is delivered by a professional

[@MattMG84]

1) You're not supposed to stab, it has happened but since the sword are rounded so far nobody lost an eye. 2) Refs rarely need to jump in in 1v1 fights, just for the ground game which is basically 3 valid hits and done.

[@KiwiFighter]

Ive been hit in un armored spots, hurts a lot especially the next day your pretty amped up so don't always feel it at the time. I did get hit once by an axe while reffing total accident ended up with a nice bruise on my thigh.

[@matthewolson469]

KiwiFighter ahhh just as I suspected. The refs need at least leather armor or perhaps special lighting to indicate a stoppage to keep them safe instead of putting their bodies in the way, accidents will happen and its a matter of time until a ref gets seriously hurt

[@user-lt1vc3js3e]

make your armor better))

[@petrimaunu364]

Usually referees use flag to control fighters.

[@Lunumbrus]

This is generally called HEMA, for Historical European Martial Arts. Schools exist all over the place that study it, if you're interested. And yeah, generally speaking, unless you have a big mace to cave the guy's helmet in, your best bet against an armored opponent is probably to get him on his back, and pull your rondel dagger on him. :/

[@SarsTheSecond]

THIS SHIT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HEMA. THESE GUYS HAVE NO TEHNIQUE.

[@SarsTheSecond]

THIS IS MMA WITH SWORDS.

[@theghosthero6173]

This is often disregarded as hema but it's like comparing underground thug fighting with professional mma

[@Lunumbrus]

New fans like the show-presenters wouldn't know that, though. So to steer them in the right direction, telling them to go take a look at HEMA is probably a safe bet.

[@justanotherrandomsoul]

This is HMB (historical medieval battle), I don't see any martial art aspect to it just guys swinging blunt weapons which is silly. HEMA is way different.

[@ranwolf7650]

One would think they would use a modified leaf blower to help cool off the fighters between rounds

[@ninjabrynex8588]

Just curious, do they allow you to carry 2 shields in this sport, the swords don’t seem that effective, but getting punched by that shield, 2 shields, Captain America (Infinity War) style seems like a better option

[@Radimusdepirate]

Ive done a version of this but using ratan weapons instead of steel and it was a lot of fun especially in sqaud on squad and 100vs100 battles

[@MRTN13]

Swords are useless against armour. I'd go for two shields or a mace/warhammer if that's allowed. Medieval warriors used pikes btw, distance is your best weapon. Swords were just side arms, they're only used in movies 'cause it looks nice.

[@bradhilsden7147]

Is this channel based out of Toronto?

[@fishyz1500]

Yall should check out the battles..even 150 vs 150 battles

[@MDKMRMATT]

look up battle of the nations they do a 5v5 16v16 and 21v21 group fight of full armored fights

[@Phantoman7]

Maybe Xtreme Couture Toronto can add this to the class schedule LOL. Swords and shields sold at the front :-)

[@hammouminator]

- Airport security officer : sir ? why do you carry an armor and weapons with you ? - MMMA Warrior : you're right brave man , i am a Sir and we shall join an enourmous medieval mma tournament , shall we continue our journey in peace or are you a warrior too ? if so i would be honnored to challenge you - Airport security officer : ummmm nah i'm good , ,have a pleasant trip

[@avocado6623]

You should watch the team one. Medieval Combat World Championships. It's nuts.

[@angelo8349]

Misha sounds more intelligent as a fighter than Elias

[@matthewolson469]

That's more than likely true as Elias did have a "learning disability" growing up, as they like to call it

[@thegoon3088]

Elias is in better shape tho

[@thegoon3088]

Yes he is in better shape cuz Misha's chin is plastic

[@nikita34100]

dood hes just less energized. more mellow. but it doesnt show whos more intelligent

[@FioriBen]

youtube, the home of challenge/comparison

[@Paretozen]

Grappling with armor you have it coming two ways. You fighting your own extra weight. And the extra weight of your opponent being on top of you. No way to escape that.

[@beaufischer5262]

Look up "felony fights" and do a reaction video to it pleaseee

[@ryanbonner25]

the black knight looked so much better than the red knight...

[@selarsjar3094]

Ryan Bonner at the time of this fight he had almost double the fights

[@jamesjohanson5675]

well, blows are counted.. so most likely he landed more blows with the sword in the zones where it mattered.

[@actionauthorjessehenson2616]

Hell yeah, I freaking love mideval times

[@gustavoarzaga1679]

you should watch the ones that have many guys in armor fighting at onces

[@amon5673]

what would happen if you give that shield to alex pereira or ngannou

[@isaacdoukaskomnenos8013]

"Whom by thy fuck be this man"

[@ianprososki6804]

Try it armored combat is fun as hell almost addicting

[@f804.de.ruyter]

To be fair if they were to use a mace then its a genuine weapon that kills.

[@danilapolesciuk4316]

Yeah maces, medieval clubs and the likes were made to bash late Medieval armor

[@GeezrPlays]

Have them react to Hema worlds in the longsword category. Sharpest swordsmen/women in the world.

[@romanianskinhead2654]

4:43 YES

[@winterpanda]

How do I sign up?

[@fraterlibertas3036]

"Would I do it?" Fuck yeah! I'm very into weapons stuffs, especially swords! Sign me up! (Actually, to be honest, I've done it before, it's awesome!)

[@doktordanomite9105]

armour can actually be surprisingly mobile

[@omarpadilla5155]

Shit hyped me the fuck up man

[@marcusanark2541]

Respect is always cool.

[@justanotherrandomsoul]

I've seen this before way back in the 80s it's not new. I saw kids bashing each other with sticks and the only protection they had were bike helmets, how hardcore could they get and they're more fun to watch...I'll stick with MMA and HEMA, this thing is just hilarious, no wonder this genre won't grow more like a sideshow spectacle to me.

[@indionueve]

You should have them react to calcio storico

[@sircaspain1]

I used to do that.

[@frenchie6119]

Anyone notice marcin tybura was one of the dudes fighting? lol

[@lm3747]

RIP Elias

[@sdaniel123]

I wanna see axes, vs sword, vs spear/lance vs mace

[@consolek1d]

why is the ref not wearing amour?

[@sorkeror]

React to more common HEMA, w/o armor

[@AmilGaoulKris]

Thats not even HEMA bro .

[@aurourus6894]

wait they didn't show 16 v 16?

[@mixail4831]

i thought tou wrote ufc fighters,,,,,at the title

[@exocet8834]

Is there a Medieval Team MMA yet??

[@-e6195]

the thing about this fight its provably sword hits are worth more than punches... so they focus more on that, but if you dont give a fuck just go for the knock out because its an instant win.... it breaks the sport.

[@hunterhutchings2784]

2:11 i think he meant a flail

[@bolle1125]

wow how cool is that...!!!

[@DvDPlaya]

Fanning him off with the shield. LOL I feel like the ref is going to lose his arm breaking them up. And I see one helmet has huge eye holes and he's going to get clipped right in the f'king eye. Or one of those blades break and goes flying and hits someone in the audience. I'm cursed with seeing fatal shit play in my head. God forbid I see someone running with a pair of scissors.

[@kingseda14]

Did no one see Marcin Tybura was the one fighting in the clips?

[@nikolaystroganov652]

nah man it was an ad for the next mma event in m1

[@Error_-su1pn]

wait is this legit hema idk no m1 videos call it hema

[@chrisspicer4319]

Me and my Brother did this every Christmas with empty wrapping paper tubes

[@Final_D-]

yall need to do Dog Brothers

[@thedragonplayertdp6430]

this is actually a sport in of it self called HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts)

[@AmilGaoulKris]

This is nothing like HEMA ...there is one other thing that is closer , they use like sensors to detect hits and fighters may use whatever weapon they want ( a safe replica) , 3 strikes and you are out .

[@honestlee9921]

The sword is too light. The shield is the better weapon it seems

[@actionauthorjessehenson2616]

This definately tops those cat vine videos or eminem verbally wrecking a youtuber who trashed talked him

[@stefantheconqueror8710]

Are the blades dull?

[@joynelbonetdelgado4952]

Yeah, even if they were sharpened they wouldn't pierce through armor like movies do lol

[@stefantheconqueror8710]

@@joynelbonetdelgado4952 Idk bro swords can still stab you with armor

[@werewolfx51]

@@joynelbonetdelgado4952 You just to need find the soft place between the plates, it's matter of precision.

[@AmilGaoulKris]

@@stefantheconqueror8710 Not in the armored parts ... even if they did tho , you would have a metal chain vest underneath or a gambeson .That's why blunt force weapons like hammers and maces or piercing weapons like spears and war pikes were used .

[@Juan-ir2rh]

Oh shit For Honor looks lit

[@knas5567]

if a swedish guy would do this, would he have viking gear? thats the real question like double axes or some shit

[@beowulf4100]

M1 is harder but mma is less predictable ..ive done both

[@shadejodoin6683]

Show them the 16V16 fights

[@NorseBastrd]

It seems fun.

[@tristankeech4070]

React to AFL biggest hits.

[@chrishayes5755]

Still waiting for "UFC Fighters React to Elias Theodorous Deadliest Strikes"

[@shaqmalakhy9428]

Is half swording allowed?

[@kokofan50]

Probably, but there’s not thrusting, which makes half-swording mostly useless.

[@thoraxtheimp]

Unfortunately no. I think is in HEMA (don't quote me on that though) but not in this sport. It's mostly for the same reason there is no thrusting. If the cross-guard of the sword gos into the eye slits or finds a gap in the armor then it could potentially kill the fighter.

[@woodman94]

1:26 lmao

[@ynacyr4]

M1 doesn't truly show how medieval combat worked. Fighting with swords that can actually cut your limbs off is a HUGE game, stance and strategy changer. And yes, some weapons could actually cut through steel. Also, since no stabbing is allowed they tend to grapple a lot.

[@neidhartmuller8804]

what fucking weapons can cut through steel?

[@maosama3695]

The Pig Scoff have you seen a claymore before?

[@neidhartmuller8804]

have you even done research? No fucking swords can cut through plate armour

[@maosama3695]

do you think you need to cut through a plate armour to kill people who wears it? most western swords doesn't rely on it's sharpness to kill western swords tend to have heavier weight their design to crush not to slice , a claymore and zweihander can crush both you and your plate armour. not just swords alot of weapons were developed to counter armours , a spiked flail and mace can puncture a plate armour , a pilum can penetrate both armour and it's wearer and your mum too. and only idiots would try to attack where the armour is , you attack the joints and collars.

[@Buran01]

Swords were a sede arm, not a war weapon. The main war weapons along the history were the spear and the bow, and the main defenses the shield and the armor. In medieval times, when chainmail and metal plated armors became abundant (for second time after the apex of the Roman Empre) the main way to defeat a knight were either wielding a mace/warhammer + shield, or a poleaxe/2hd warhammer/bec du corbin/lucern hammer (essentially iterations of the same weapon, all of those designed to deal massive damage to heavily armored knights. You can k.o. a knight using a sword with a lucky hit in the helmet, but using a sword or a zweihander vs a enemy wielding a warhammer or a poleaxe will put you in massive disadvantage. Also, blunt weapons are avoided in this competition for the same reason: they (to large extent) ignore the protection that the armor provides, making them lethal.

[@BrunoJaureguiMusic]

I hope you all know that this sport is less dangerous than football actually.

[@BlackMaskq]

I'd go in if they allow war hammers and iron staffs

[@phenomenom9142]

The most ultra omega chad thing I've seen since portland one punch chad

[@TotallyNotLoki]

Hell yeah i’d do it

[@OzzieTheHead]

Other way around, combat fighting benefited a lot from wrestling and judo

[@cjinl2428]

How does this work? Just ko them with blunt swords and shields? What's the point of the whole medieval thing then? If you want to simulate that, it'd have to be cutting and stabbing them to death, and that's not happening.

[@CrouchingWeinerHiddenErection]

Realistically Elias would run around and poke people with the sword.

[@ryanmercer5014]

its LARPing 2.0 badass

[@acewilliams7917]

They really are trying experience real fighting of old, cause it's no joke.

[@herrdrizzt9547]

Trust me, they are not. No hating, but speaking from inside. Everybody in this sport realises how far it is from history, but they love the setup, the width of tactics spectre and the challenge

[@-e6195]

its like a very very violent dance

[@lastword8783]

It seems the sword is kinda useless. Better off just bashing your opponent with armored fist and shield