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MMA star Simon Marcus whacks at Sonim's rugged Bolt

Sonim brought in a Muay Thai mixed martial artist up-and-comer to help sell an ultradurable cell phone.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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MMA fighter Simon Marcus throws punches with a Sonim Bolt rugged phone.
MMA fighter Simon Marcus throws punches with a Sonim Bolt rugged phone. Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

How do you get your ultrarugged phone some buzz?

If you're Sonim and the phone in question is the Sonim XP5520 Bolt for Bell, the answer is as easy as hiring Muay Thai mixed martial arts champion (and fellow Canadian) Simon Marcus to throw some punches and kicks on video (below).

In it, Marcus and pals tape the heavy-duty Bolt to their gloves before sparring, to demonstrate that the phone can take its knocks. At one point, Marcus lets loose at a Bolt at another man's ear, and knocks him to the ground. It's lights out for that guy, until he momentarily revives to tout Sonim's Bolt.

It's great cheese, if that's what you're into. However, it's no surprise that the phone didn't break while strapped to the impact-absorbing glove.

CNET Editor Jaymar Cabebe (who knows a thing or two about MMA himself) mentioned that some of Marcus' kicks would have the force of a baseball bat. Muay Thai fighters like Marcus have been known to take down small palm trees with a single kick.

Article updated at 12:34pm PT to correct the Canadian carrier.