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Legendary Cutman Recounts Bloodiest Round in MMA History
Jacob "Stitch" Duran, a renowned cutman in the world of combat sports, has worked in over 1,000 fights throughout his career. However, there is one fight that he will never forget. In 2005, during a welterweight bout between Jay Hieron and Jonathan Goule, Duran witnessed what UFC commentator Joe Rogan described as the "bloodiest round in mixed martial arts history."
A Gruesome Encounter
During the second round of the fight, Hieron suffered a knee to the forehead, resulting in a severe cut. Immediately, blood gushed from the wound, completely covering Hieron from head to toe. Duran, responsible for tending to the fighters' cuts, recalls being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of blood and the strong smell of iron.
He recounted, "As I was cleaning Jay up, there was so much blood I literally got nauseated. The smell of that iron, that had to be the bloodiest fight."
A Proud Moment
Despite Duran's efforts to control the bleeding, the fight was ultimately stopped in round three, with Goule declared the winner by stoppage. Duran admits that this was the only time he was taken aback by a cut. However, Hieron, proud of the brutal encounter, has kept the mat from that fight on display at Randy Couture's gym in Las Vegas, forever intertwining their histories.
The Pressure of Being a Cutman
Duran's career as a cutman has spanned decades and has seen him work with some of the biggest names in combat sports, including Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury. While he has had memorable moments in Hollywood films, Duran emphasizes the importance and pressure of his role in the ring.
He explains, "It’s definitely a pressure point. People ask me, 'What does it take to be a good cutman?' And I always say, 'Composure.' During those points, you’ve got to keep your composure and give that fighter every positive airwave."
Duran's ability to remain calm and composed in the face of extreme bloodshed has solidified his status as the most iconic cutman in boxing history.
