Morning Knockout: Sheila Gaff Skips the Glove Tap, Wrecks Jennifer Maia in 10 Seconds
(Props: TheMMAClinic)
Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff scored her third-straight knockout victory on Friday night, when she dummied up Chute Boxe product Jennifer Maia in just 10 seconds at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 4 in Dubai. Gaff’s strategy relied on the element of surprise; instead of returning Maia’s offer for a glove-tap at the beginning of the fight, Gaff swung an overhand right with lethal intentions, then fired punches and knees until she found Maia’s off-switch with a short right hook.
Not the worst cheap-shot we’ve seen, but it’s definitely in the mix. Gaff doesn’t seem to be a big fan of the glove-tap in general. For proof, check out her eight-second knockout of Hanna Sillen from last February after the jump, which begins and ends just as furiously…
What Happened Next
Sheila Gaff’s aggressive style earned her a move to the UFC in 2013, where she lost her debut to Olympic wrestling silver medallist Sara McMann. The fighter she knocked out here had the bigger career: Jennifer Maia went on to win the Invicta FC flyweight title and challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC flyweight title in 2020.
Gaff’s refusal to touch gloves sparked plenty of debate. A glove touch is a courtesy, not a rule, and fighters are expected to protect themselves from the opening bell.