Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
“The Russian Hammer” is heading home in more ways than one.
2019 has actually proven to be an excellent year for Artem Lobov (13-15-1 MMA), who relocated to the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. After defeating Jason Knight in an incredible brawl, Lobov squared off with former professional boxing champion and general loudmouth Paulie Malignaggi. Lobov pulled through as a major underdog, defeating Malignaggi via unanimous decision back in June.
Earlier in the week, it was rumored that Lobov would next rematch night in another bare knuckle contest. Instead, news today emerged that Lobov may be facing Umar Nurmagomedov (11-0) at a Gorilla FC event in Moscow, Russia.
??? ????? ????????????? ? ?????? ?????? ????????? ? ?????????? ? ????? ?????????? ?? ??????? ???? GFC ? ??????. pic.twitter.com/LHr4FvKruP
— ??????? ??? (@VestnikMMA) August 23, 2019
Umar Nurmagomedov is a cousin of Lightweight kingpin Khabib, meaning this is a continuation of the overarching Khabib Vs. Conor McGregor rivalry. More importantly, Nurmagomedov is a very talented Bantamweight with some high-level wins to his name in promotions like the Professional Fighters League (PFL), though he is likely giving up some size to Lobov.
As with every Lobov fight, it’s guaranteed excitement with a high-chance for some controversy. What are the odds McGregor or Khabib show up in one of the corners?
Insomnia
I didn’t know the name Alejandra Azul Lara before tonight, but the Bellator 225 athlete is awesome.
#AmazonRainforest @alejazulara #Bellator225 pic.twitter.com/ummpalKE2v
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) August 23, 2019
Watching someone kick down a banana tree will never stop being entertaining to me.
‘Bader finally faced some consequences for his pranks.
Tony Ferguson flowing well:
Y’all love Joe Rogan a little too much…
The missing link:
Some good footage of Dustin Poirier, who continues to be overlooked ahead of his bout with Khabib.
Maybe the wildest kick I’ve ever seen!
Slips, rips, and OUTSIDER clips
This is a really strange KO:
Lion knocks out Ideta on his feet. US Forces avoid the sweep but OUTSIDER takes the series 4-1 pic.twitter.com/FCbGXBaf5R
— MEGATON (Kai Asakura vs Tenshin @ RIZIN 19) (@BasedDongeezus) August 23, 2019
Well-timed counter shot!
Apache Kojiro finishes Shimamura with 4 seconds left in the fight to get OUTSIDER on the board, ZST leads 3-1 pic.twitter.com/gLB2q0n4p8
— MEGATON (Kai Asakura vs Tenshin @ RIZIN 19) (@BasedDongeezus) August 23, 2019
Once Okude latched onto the arm, he never released pressure.
Masayuki Okude armbars Keinosuke. ZST defeats OUTSIDER 4-1 pic.twitter.com/0CFLA4ns4Z
— MEGATON (Kai Asakura vs Tenshin @ RIZIN 19) (@BasedDongeezus) August 23, 2019
A BIG left hand from a BIG Southpaw:
Random Land
TWO!
I hereby order all of you to RT this gif because it’s awesome. pic.twitter.com/s5J8gMKTK1
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) August 23, 2019
Midnight Music: Today is the 25th anniversary of an all-time great album: Jeff Buckley’s debut and only completed studio work Grace. The song below is a bonus track on that album (just to mix it up), and also one of three examples that Buckley covering Bob Dylan was a perfect combination.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.