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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Whenever Conor McGregor does not have a fight booked, it becomes a serious guessing game as to who the Irishman will fight next (you can even bet on it!). We may have gained some clarity, however, as a first report from ESPN’s MMA Show indicates that McGregor is in talks to face Justin Gaethje this summer.
Ariel Helwani says a summer time fight between McGregor vs. Gaethje is the current front runner. Things could change, talks very preliminary at this point.#HelwaniShow
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) February 24, 2020
We’re a long way off from the bout being confirmed, but it’s a serious step in the right direction! McGregor was last seen in the Octagon in January, returning to the Octagon to pick up his first win since 2016 by absolutely plastering Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds. Gaethje also knocked out Cerrone in his most recent performance, stopping the veteran “Cowboy” inside the first round back in September. “The Highlight” rides a three-fight win streak and has won each of those bouts via first-round knockout.
It’s quite simply a tremendous title eliminator, and neither man could be denied a well-earned title shot with a victory. Here’s hoping it happens!
Insomnia
Emil Meek is a touch frustrated after his latest defeat — why does UFC keep matching him up with wrestlers? We’ve seen that fight three times now, and it’s not a lot of fun. Let the viking brawl!
How to defend a takedown
— Emil Valhalla Meek (@emilvalhalla) February 24, 2020
This is the most jiu-jitsu thing I’ve ever seen.
Zhang Weili knocked out Andrade, and everyone forgot how slick her clinch throws are.
The fight no one really asked for is officially official.
Man, I’m usually super open-minded about tattoos and don’t judge, but I don’t know about this one …
It doesn’t look like much, but apparently Lando Vannata really screwed up his foot early in the fight with Yancy Medereiros back at UFC Rio Rancho.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
The best blast double in the business:
A pretty killer duck-and-counter combination:
Former UFC light-heavyweight Abdul-Kerim Edilov annihilates Ibrahim Labaran in Moscow. Now 2-0 as a pro boxer. pic.twitter.com/LVhzpiIePx
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 21, 2020
This whole sequence is awesome. Smith showed off great hips to reverse the throw, then immediately isolated the two-on-one control when his opponent hit the mat. Perfect stuff!
Impressive stuff from Nate Smith! #LFA82 pic.twitter.com/OhYIJ6CDci
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 22, 2020
Random Land
Pitching decks are not for the faint of heart.
Midnight Music: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to Astral Weeks, but I still am no closer to understanding its meaning.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.