Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every night …
Welcome to Midnight Mania! Today was the first day back at work for many of you.
First work day of the new year hitting me like pic.twitter.com/JPPV3JjloV
— Josh Sánchez (@jnsanchez) January 3, 2017
Hope it didn’t catch you that off guard.
There is a lot of debate about who was the “Fighter of the Year” in 2016, but one of the guys in the running is certainly Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. Mirko Cro Cop — RIZIN’S Grand Prix Winner — also had a great year, capping off what could possibly mark the end of his illustrious combat sports career.
@stipemiocicufc @alex_medina5 fighters of the year for us Croats ?? pic.twitter.com/XOvJTTlpVP
— Filip Plockinjic (@FilipZg33) January 4, 2017
Miocic is quite certain he already achieved “Fighter of the Year” … and his logic is undeniable.
I was. My mom said so man! https://t.co/1PGCfbxuB0
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) January 4, 2017
In honor of Cro Cop’s career, take a look at one of his amateur boxing bouts … FROM TWO DECADES AGO:
Came across video of one of Cro Cop’s 90s amateur boxing fights. Had a 48-8 record, fought at world championships https://t.co/32UQ62lQ9L
— Rian Scalia (@rian5ca) January 4, 2017
I didn’t even know he had an amateur boxing career.
Meanwhile, Kron Gracie defeated formerly ranked Featherweight Tatsui Kawajiri in RIZIN last week, which means maybe his mixed martial arts (MMA) career is worth paying some attention to.
Kron Gracie is really good if you’re wondering. He took his back from a stomp. #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/yHMIIihGtr
— Thomas. (@tommyie) December 31, 2016
The whole fight can be seen below:
New UFC on-air talent, Todd Grisham, has been hired, and he’s undeniably a better choice than Jim Rome. However …
Todd Grisham sliding into the MMA Twittersphere like pic.twitter.com/hxCAoCA60E
— Heel (@HeelNHB) January 4, 2017
… that is still disturbing.
Maybe this will cheer you up: Mackenzie Dern dancing!
She pulled off this incredible omoplata to rear naked choke transition in both Gi competition and MMA this year:
Truth:
Cody Garbrandt’s performance in the pre-fight trash talk vs his performance in the actual fight: pic.twitter.com/ixHgOEaIR5
— Fury’s Fight Picks (@FurysFightPicks) January 3, 2017
Speaking of Garbrandt winning, it looks like Forrest Griffin had a haircut riding on this fight:
New #RankingsReport is out, and @ForrestGriffin keeps his word to @Cody_NoLove ?? https://t.co/8e8o4bKySP pic.twitter.com/UmhgFQV4L8
— UFC (@ufc) January 4, 2017
These are so incredibly wrong.
Ronda taking up home improvement with Travis https://t.co/jIqVRSwUTA
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) January 2, 2017
Perhaps this is the reason Rousey hates MMA media?
Just a hunch.
Todd Duffee vs Mark Godbeer has been announced. First, Godbeer might be the best name for a UFC Heavyweight … ever. Second, this crazy slugfest is what Duffee will be coming back from:
Demi Lovato broke up with Luke Rockhold, according to reports, and is now with the guy on the right in the video below (a Bellator MMA fighter).
Embattled former UFC fighter Cody East has been accused of kneeing his girlfriend in the face, among other abuse.
UFC looked at his past, did the “independent investigation,” gave him a chance to compete, cut him before this arrest, and whaddaya know… https://t.co/KknwlVSEPt
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) January 3, 2017
UFC has a long history of ignoring or downplaying consequences of these allegations against fighters. This next signing, however, is controversial for different reasons:
UFC signed Magomed Bibulatov? Best news I’ve heard all day. The best 125er outside of the promotion. https://t.co/AJbJRbRPCP
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 3, 2017
Talented guy … with a shady history.
The UFC signed WSOF Flw champ Magomed Bibulatov, one of Kadyrov’s most loyal henchmen. Also publicly harassed Fedor over child MMA scandal
— Karim Zidan (@ZidanSports) January 4, 2017
Consider this:An internationally recognized sports organization is signing athletes openly affiliated w/ leaders on human rights watch lists
— Karim Zidan (@ZidanSports) January 4, 2017
That’s concerning to say the least. Kadyrov is the Chechen leader who is heavily and controversially involved with MMA. He’s entertained Fabricio Werdum and also had his kids fight in a cage.
Bobs and Weaves
Random fact o’ the day:
Funny enough, Cody and Conor McGregor both debuted with wins over Marcus Brimage. 5 fights later, both were champions#UFC
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) January 4, 2017
I do remember Garbrandt knocking out Brimage and thinking he looked like a less polished version of McGregor — they had the same composure in the pocket, and similar clean boxing mechanics, generating that incredible knockout power.
Two words for the following clips: MOAT FIGHTS!
Ganryujima – Katsunori Kikuno (Okinawa Kenpo Karate) 1R KO (VS. Kevin Souza (MMA / Brazil)) pic.twitter.com/qjJCok4RO6 https://t.co/mCj118S4Oo
— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) January 3, 2017
The rules include winning by forcing the opponent out into the moat.
@Grabaka_Hitman @Segunda_Venida @lucas_bourdon @Jolassanda @OSebasuchan Exactly, Douwes beat MM on this ring out pic.twitter.com/9CPKOBa0JT
— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) January 3, 2017
Former UFC fighter Katsonori Kikuno has had tremendous success:
@guicruzzz it’s incredible. Kikuno has been unstoppable. Won an 8-man GP last year too pic.twitter.com/SZSSacOCOl
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 3, 2017
It’s just an incredibly fun concept:
@guicruzzz pic.twitter.com/UBAmcp92e1
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 3, 2017
Great artwork of UFC women’s Bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes:
@Bosslogic starting the year off right. One of the fighters of 2016. The UFC bantamweight champion, ‘The Lioness’ Amanda Nunes. pic.twitter.com/MDc5LRRgYL
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) January 3, 2017
Quick Hits
- UFC 207 seems to have done very well — almost certainly over one million pay-per-view (PPV) buys — if FOX Sports 1’s “Prelims” ratings are any indication.
- John Lineker broke his jaw in the first round against T.J. Dillashaw by eating one of those headkicks.
- The Bellator 170 conference call, with Chael Sonnen and Tito Ortiz:
Random Land
A Korean cross between Dr. Strange and Supa Hot Fire? I love it.
i know jack shit abt dr strange but i already know that this korean snl parody is better pic.twitter.com/SWe8ZxCA8B
— Z-01 ????????. (@LUPATIER) January 3, 2017
Stay woke, Maniacs.