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"Hockey fights are worse than power slap": UFC stars left aghast at Kevin Bieksa's Superman punch among other NHL throwdowns
Former NHL defenseman Kevin Bieksa was a tough customer in his day. During the 2006–07 season with the Vancouver Canucks, Bieksa racked up 134 penalty minutes. Bieksa was known to drop the gloves with some of the league’s heaviest hitters.
But there was one particular bout Kevin Bieksa had as a member of the Anaheim Ducks with then-Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas. The altercation featured some hard punches from both sides, prompting various UFC fighters to react in admiration.
One specific comment from UFC star Belal Muhammad summed up these stars’ opinions:
“Hockey fights are worse than a power slap.”
But that comment is just the tip of the iceberg. Fighter Paddy Pimblett had this to say about the Bieksa-Gudas tilt:
“What’s his name? Bieksa? Need to meet him. He’s a belter!”
But that’s not all. Pimblett jumped up in surprise, exclaiming:
“He superman punched him!”
Similarly, Muhammed reacted to Kevin Bieksa’s abilities by shouting:
“Oh, Superman punch!”
Muhammed added:
“How do they just allow that?”
Also, renowned fighter Molly McCann asked:
“Does he do any MMA?”
It’s unclear whether Kevin Bieksa ever trained in MMA during his hockey playing career. But one thing is certain: He never backed down from a challenge during his playing days.
In over 800 games, Bieksa threw his weight around while adding some scoring along the way. Bieksa topped 40 points three times in his career.
Kevin Bieksa is successful on the ice and the screen
The Hockey News recently reported on a distinguished honor for Kevin Bieksa. Bieksa received the 2024 Best Sports Analyst award at the Canadian Screen Awards.
The honor comes on the heels of Bieksa’s transition from the ice to the broadcast booth. His participation in Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada has earned him critical acclaim for his professionalism and journalistic integrity.
In addition, fans tune in to watch Bieksa deliver the latest in NHL-related information and analysis. As The Hockey News noted:
“His witty banter and in-depth knowledge have made him a fan favourite, just like he was when he was a player for both the Canucks and Anaheim Ducks.”
Bieksa will hopefully continue to be a key member of the Hockey Night in Canada panel, along with his other NHL reporting duties. Hopefully, this prestigious award is just the beginning of a long and highly successful career in the media.
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