(Someone’s gonna need some Dr. Scholl’s gel insoles. PicProps Brawlin’ Fight Fotos.)

You would assume that in the year 2011, with all of the slip-related injuries that have occured over the years that were attributed to the silk screened graphics on the mat, that athletic commissions would address the issue and come up with alternative means of printing ads on the canvas.

If you don’t think that the issue needs to be discussed, ask Nate Marquardt and Shane Carwin‘s training partner Justin Salas (10-3), who fought UFC veteran Rob Emerson for the lightweight title at Full Force Fight’s event in Colorado Saturday night if it’s a problem.


Here’s what happened to cause the carnage in the photo above according to VigilanteMMA.com:

"Salas, fighting out of Grudge Training Center in Denver, had to adapt to some unexpected adversity during the fight as well. The cage-side lighting caused quite a problem. The heat generated from the overhead lights was so intense; it heated up the mat and decals to a very uncomfortable level.

In fact, following the first round, Salas was confused as to why he was slipping on the canvas. As it turned out, the skin on the bottom of his right foot had begun to blister and cause some serious issues. “The whole bottom of my foot got torn completely off during the fight,” explained Salas, “which posed a problem for me in closing the distance with my feet.”

Although his original game plan was to stand and strike with the more seasoned Emerson, he quickly realized his footwork was suffering. He then switched gears and went back to his wrestling roots, completely controlling Emerson and working some superior ground and pound. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, “I made it work; I adapted. I feel like I still dominated the fight.”

You hear that? Not only did he FINISH the bout with no soles on the bottoms of his feet, HE WON THE FIGHT AND A BELT! 

Talk about tough. Somebody get that photo on a motivational poster and post it in every MMA locker room with the caption, "If you have a lesser injury than this, don’t even think about quitting."