Meet Mike Pantangco: MMA Fighter Taps Out To Protect Losing Opponent Jeremy Rasner From Injury [VIDEO]

An amateur mixed martial arts fighter chose to forfeit an easy victory over an outmatched opponent because he was concerned that he would severely injure the man.

MMA fighter Mike Pantangco recently fought Jeremy Rasner for Prison City Fight League in Jackson, Michigan, Fox Sports reported. Pantangco dominated Rasner from the opening bell, but his overmatched opponent managed to stay on his feet and absorb the physical abuse.

Pantangco, who wore white trunks, landed blow after blow on Rasner, who struggled to defend himself against the flurry of offensive strikes as the match’s first round neared its conclusion. Eventually, Pantangco struck Rasner with a spinning back fist, causing the already-wobbling fighter to stagger around the ring.

However, rather than finish off (and potentially injure) his dazed opponent, Pantangco dropped to a knee and tapped out, forfeiting the match and allowing Rasner to claim a victory by TKO. After the fight, Pantangco explained his decision in an interview with AXS-TV.

“I just feel that there’s no point fighting him because he didn’t train against me and I didn’t train against him, and I just feel like we’re amateur fighters,” Pantangco said. “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.”

Rasner appeared to be stunned by Pantangco’s decision, but he respected his opponent’s display of sportsmanship. While the referee raised Rasner’s hand to signify his victory, Rasner did the same to Pantangco to show his appreciation.