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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
If at first you don’t succeed … go back to Middleweight!
TASS reported today that Chris Weidman (14-5) will return to the Octagon and 185-pound division opposite Omari Akhmedov (20-4) on Sat. Aug 8, 2020 at a yet-to-be-named event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Weidman has struggled ever since he lost his title and undefeated record back in 2015. The 35-year-old former champion has lost five of his last six bouts, all via stoppage due to strikes. In his last bout, Weidman dipped his toes into the Light Heavyweight waters, getting smoked by the current No.1-ranked contender Dominick Reyes. That’s a damn tough match up for anyone’s debut at 205-pounds, but Weidman will nevertheless return to the division he once ruled rather than take an easier fight at Light Heavyweight.
Speaking of easier fights, No.11-ranked Akhmedov may not have the credentials of recent Weidman foes like Reyes or “Jacare” Souza, but “Wolverine” is no pushover. The Dagestani combatant is unbeaten in his last six bouts, and Middleweight has proven a definite home for him. At 185 lbs., Akhmedov is able to fight at a much better pace for the full 15 minutes, whereas cardio was a constant struggle at Welterweight.
Weidman takes a step back, and Akhmedov is given a chance to score the biggest win of his professional career. Which man takes the victory?
Insomnia
Paulo Costa embraces the meme!
This is the only appropriate way to accept a bout on Fight Island. Also, Aleksei Oleinik vs. Derrick Lewis is an awesome fight!
Man, @oleynikufc receives, signs and sends back his bout agreements the old-fashioned way. Respect. pic.twitter.com/bYs79zVugA
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 16, 2020
We have officially found someone goofier than Mike Perry. Spoiler alert: it’s his manager!
That’s what happens, when you have this meatball as a manager. https://t.co/WiSpHcNFpx pic.twitter.com/8MvL3Rn3Fh
— whodatt (@whodatt249) June 14, 2020
John Lineker presents an interesting way to develop the jab:
More Joe Silva horror stories, as well as a reminder that Gerald Harris was done real dirty for no actual reason! Dude was good! He was exciting!
Joe Silva told me…Since I lost on the Ultimate Fighter that I would never be good enough for the UFC. So once I got in he hated me, then couldn’t wait for me to lose. So he gave me four badass newcomers and once I lost he cut me after 3 previous KO victories.
— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) June 16, 2020
There’s really nothing at all healthy about Lethwei, but … this seems especially unhealthy.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Good head movement is always incredibly satisfying.
#OnThisDay 1 year ago, @Tyson_Fury delivered the defensive sequence that is still absolutely mind-blowing pic.twitter.com/BRLv0djdDS
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 15, 2020
He chased after the throw a bit too hard …
— MEGATON (trashykksliderfan) (@Megatonfan) June 15, 2020
The last two videos included zero knockouts, so here’s TEN brutal body shot finishes to make up for it!
Random Land
The best part of this clip is surely all the broken bottles from the failed attempts.
Midnight Music: I dig this new wave-y indie track that popped up on my Discover Weekly playlist, courtesy of Atlanta band Omni.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.