Midnight Mania! Ngannou Backs Jones: UFC Won’t Pay Up

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou has only been discussed as a realistic possibility for the previous week or so, but the fight world has already bought into the idea hook, line, and sinker. It’s an undeniable tremendous match up, as Jones would finally test the Heavyweight waters. More than that, he would do it as an underdog against perhaps his most dangerous opponent ever.

Jones is willing to take the risk, Ngannou wants all comers, and fans demand it. Everyone was on board with the match up … until negotiations stalled as soon as they started. Now, Jones is ready to take a hiatus from the sport entirely.

There are really two popular takes on the situation. Jones detractors — like Israel Adesanya! — believe that “Bones” never had a true interest in the Heavyweight division and used contract negotiations as a way to back out of the match up gracefully. The other side of the conversation features the very persistent history of UFC being unwilling to pay fighters more than their base contract, regardless of the scale of the contest (remember Donald Cerrone’s “red panty fail” against Conor McGregor?).

Despite being Jones’ potential opponent and engaging in trash talk with the Light Heavyweight champion, Ngannou took to Twitter to support Jones.

Ngannou has experienced his fair share of frustration with the company too. Dana White ripped into “The Predator” following his tentative decision loss to Derrick Lewis, and recently UFC shut down his requests for an interim title … despite there being no plans booked for the official belt.

Ultimately, it’s another example of the fighter pay issue that plagues the sport. Even with a significant salary increase for both men, there is money to be made for UFC on Jones vs. Ngannou, which would undoubtedly sell massively more than Jones vs. Jan Blachowicz. However, UFC is extremely reluctant to pay above base contracts, which is common place in the highest levels of boxing.

If UFC wants to live up to its general promise of giving fans the fights they want, it might be time to open up the pocket books, because this is one of the best bouts available.

Insomnia

Check out the fourth episode of our Thailand doc below, and there’s additional behind-the-scenes info HERE!

Dustin Poirier proposes some exciting match ups:

Some impressive strength from UFC Lightweight Rafael Fiziev.

I feel like Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Rafael dos Anjos has been talked about since like 2016. Also, “RDA” has fought too many elite dudes to be called a phony!

Is this a self-aware joke or the scariest post a potential Vitor Belfort foe could ever see?

These reviews of One Championship from former employees are pretty damning!

Carlos Condit has some of the most creative and versatile combos of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Is Geoff Neal the best example of the Southpaw double threat right now? His cross is a piston and that high kick crushed even Mike Perry’s iron chin.

RIP Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones — it was a nice dream for the few days it lasted.

Sweep the leg!

Random Land

A formidable road block:

Midnight Music: Enjoy a jazz-funk track that found its way into my DMs!

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.