Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Jon Jones is the specter that haunts the light heavyweight division. He has only fought twice in the past three years, one win and one no-contest. The no-contest ruined what had been a tremendous fight and victory over his biggest rival, Daniel Cormier.
Now, Cormier is moving on, to face Stipe Miocic in a heavyweight superfight this summer. If “DC” wins, it will shift his legacy, putting Jones in the rearview mirror, at least for the moment. The move to heavyweight was one Jones had been hinting at his entire career.
Does his caption, “Good better best” refer to Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier… and himself? It’s entirely speculation, but Jones still believes his best days are ahead of him. Much hangs on the length of Jones’ suspension, but is that the fight he will look for when he does return from exile? Jones’ striking coach Brandon Gibson certainly thinks so.
Let’s give this another try – I predict we see Jones vs DC 3 for the HW title Dec 29, 18.
— Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) February 1, 2018
Insomnia
Good to see Robert Whittaker feeling better. Let’s hope Sir Bobby Knuckles returns to rule middleweight quickly.
I like this sweep from Derrick Lewis. Machida hit it in his very early career; it’s got that combination of effortless and effective.
I don’t like this from Lewis though:
Mayweather vs Cm Punk. I’m calling it now
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) February 1, 2018
Promotions are promoting their fighters, and former fighters, which means you get to watch highlight clips:
#flashback to a classic BAMMA #Knockout
Shin to chin
Best of skill to @POSTERBOYJM at #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/HcsMHGPdUi— BAMMA (@BAMMA) February 1, 2018
Valentina Shevchenko is getting the most tune-up fight of tune-up fights this weekend, but watching her style could be fun.
Only five UFC fights but @BulletValentina has caused some DAMAGE. #UFCBelem pic.twitter.com/56Wi5bx22W
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2018
Boxing has both changed so much and remained the same since these halcyon days:
Max Schmeling uses head movement, a crouch, and a pawing jab to bait Louis’s jab. Joe gets into Schmelings range and Max unleashes a sharp right hand counter. A prevalant strategy for the night. pic.twitter.com/4RJ6pMksyk
— Reznick (@reznickboxing) February 1, 2018
Perfect translator. Sorry, Ben Askren.
This might be true. Serious times for Anderson Silva. His offence is far clearer in nature and intent than Jon Jones’ is.
Career ending for Anderson Silva, facing an eight year ban.
Second offence, four years.
Positive for synthetic testosterone and a diuretic.. Multiple substances triggers “aggravating circumstances” clause, 4 more..
Career over. https://t.co/50Urf1WG2t
— Dave/Dim (@dimspace) February 1, 2018
He will never get the chance to surpass CM Punk:
Was this cake… was it… what was it??? At first I thought the Ws might represent her UFC wins, but I guess it probably means the “wrestling” in the letters “WWE”?
Accurate depiction of what Floyd’s first day in MMA training would look like:
Podcasts and Video
I keep telling you to listen to this interview with Nate Quarry, because it’s really good… especially the last 15 minutes! Check us out on SoundCloud as well as iTunes and Stitcher on the official MMA Mania channel! Follow MMA Mania on Youtube
Brian Stann lays out why fighters on PEDs cost clean fighters money:
.@BrianStann says despite the new fad of defending fighters who fail drug tests, the bottom line is fighters who use PEDs cost clean fighters money. @MieshaTate @RJcliffordMMA pic.twitter.com/vOTdHOsB0X
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) February 2, 2018
Good Reads
- She thought she might die from a crack addiction, but now she’s a UFC fighter.
- I liked the end of this Ben Fowlkes piece where he explains why fighters need their excuses to keep on fighting, and why Rousey has never opened up about her losses.
- The alt-right Neo-Nazies are training MMA? Yep, and Bellator fighter Anastasia Yankova reps their brand.
Stay woke, Maniacs! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @Vorpality