Sherdog’s Top 10: Strangest Endings

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10. Shinya Aoki vs. David Gardner
Dream 7
March 8, 2009 | Saitama, Japan

The number one rule in a fight is to protect yourself at all times, no matter what. Sometimes fighters bend this rule and showboat to the crowd in an effort to take the opponent off of his or her game. More often than not, the clowning takes place at a safe distance. It certainly should not happen when a submission savant is attached to your back searching for a rear-naked choke.

Yet, that is the route Gardner chose at Dream 7 while Aoki was all over him. The American was on his knees and doing a fine job defending against choke attempts. Then, for reasons known only to him, Gardner foolishly raised his right hand, wiggled his finger in defiance and shouted, “Hello, Japan!” Aoki snatched his neck, and Gardner tapped soon after.

Number 9 » Game of Feet