Kropschot On Kunneman's Refusal To Tap At DWCS

Joseph Kropschot dislocated his opponent's elbow with an armbar in the final moments of Dana White's Contender Series but walked away with a decision instead of a finish.

Kropschot faced Jonathan Kunneman in the opening middleweight bout of DWCS 2026 Week 1 on August 11. He controlled the pace while Kunneman hunted for a knockout punch. With seconds left, Kropschot locked in an armbar that looked fight-ending. Kunneman would not tap. The submission bent the arm at a severe angle before Kropschot released and the horn sounded.

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Kropschot Expresses Shock At Kunneman's Toughness

"I cannot believe he didn't tap," Kropschot said in his post-fight interview, per Sherdog. "That bent like at the right angle. Gross." The judges awarded him a unanimous decision, and UFC officials handed him a contract. Kropschot improved to 9-3 and extended his winning streak to five, though his four-fight finishing run ended.

Kunneman dropped to 10-1 with his first professional loss. The middleweight had too much on the line to tap, gambling on the clock instead of protecting the joint. Kropschot entered the Contender Series after four straight stoppages and leaves with a UFC roster spot despite the armbar not securing the finish.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Joseph Kropschot on DWCS graphic armbar injury: ‘I cannot believe he didn’t tap’