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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
I don’t mean to downplay the many worldwide consequences of COVID-19, but the absolute greatest threat of this viral infection is the risk of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson being cancelled. The next three UFC events have been postponed, and UFC 249 is four weeks away.
Fortunately, Dana White has promised that the fight will happen somewhere, anywhere that will allow them to hold fights. Unfortunately, it’s only mildly reassuring, as the bout has already been cancelled four times previous due to non-pandemic related issues.
Two of those cancellations were due to injuries to Ferguson, who is known for his strange training methods. For anyone hoping that Ferguson would contain his wackiness in the interest of health and longevity, well, check out his latest workout video:
If Nurmagomedov were to shape-shift into a box in the next few weeks, then Ferguson is well prepared to handle his square foe. Otherwise, the above is hard to explain, and Ferguson seems to land on his back pretty hard during the suplex.
At least he’s practicing social distancing?
Insomnia
I’m going to do my best in the coming weeks to avoid overloading on Coronavirus-related posts in these sections, but it may grow difficult as it’s all anyone talks about right now. Anyway, Dan Ige thinks he may have fought through COVID-19 weeks ago.
Pretty sure I had COVID-19 (maybe not don’t @ me) in late December/Early January one month before my fight before it was barley known or talked about. I got really sick for about 2 weeks flu/fever and then I got staph almost had to pull from my fight no joke. Stay clean
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) March 16, 2020
Modern problems require modern solutions!
If UFC cant find a venue for Khabib/Ferguson. Then go to Nigeria. No coronavirus there. You can also put some hometown heroes on the card like Sodiq Yusuff & Mike Perry.
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) March 15, 2020
Bryce Mitchell has survived much worse than global pandemics. Also, he already eats squirrels, so the Arkansas-native is unlikely to starve anytime soon.
If this didn’t kill me I ain’t scared of that virus pic.twitter.com/V8c0O7366Z
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) March 13, 2020
An exercise in painful futility:
Cody Garbrandt offers a bit of clarification on his fight-cancelling kidney issue.
It has nothing to do with a weight cut. I don’t even have to cut weight to 135. It was caused from celulitis that transferred to an infection in my kidneys. I’ll have more answers on Tuesday when I see the specialist. https://t.co/Ow4OW2gDoM
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) March 15, 2020
How did everyone feel about the quiet arena in Brasilia? I didn’t mind it from a viewing perspective.
Our audience in Brazil @Mickmaynard2 #UFCBrasilia pic.twitter.com/ZUrQ5rdqMy
— Dana White (@danawhite) March 14, 2020
I don’t even want to know how cold it is in this video of Zabit Magomedsharipov beating up what appears to be a homemade punching bag.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Everyone’s favorite GIANT BABY returned to the win column!
Júnior Albini !!! 🙂
1R KO (SBC27) pic.twitter.com/3UHbIxmDC5— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda1) March 14, 2020
It’s important not to forget about submissions while trying to land ground strikes.
Yasmin Castanho (4-0) submits Thaiane Souza via 1st round armbar #TauraMMA9 pic.twitter.com/ykxW2K5fmU
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) March 16, 2020
Unless you’re Tyron Woodley, hanging out with your back to the fence is probably a terrible idea. Actually, it’s still probably a bad idea for him too, he just gets away with it!
Goran Relji? TKO’s Pedro Brum at the beginning of R2 pic.twitter.com/bPIW75Mffk
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) March 14, 2020
Random Land
Penguins make everything better.
Since the Shedd Aquarium is empty, the trainers took the penguins for a tour pic.twitter.com/KB7r3jJ4lW
— The Cute Plug (@TheCutePlug) March 15, 2020
Midnight Music: I do chuckle to myself every time Spotify’s algorithm attempts to help me “discover” one of the most famous bands of all time. In this case, “Tangerine” was on my Discover Weekly playlist, so on that note, what’s the best Led Zeppelin album? My vote goes to Led Zeppelin II.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.