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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Michael Chandler is perhaps the face of Bellator MMA. Without arguing that he’s the absolute best fighter on the roster — though he’s certainly one of them — Chandler has been with the promotion since his fourth professional fight! He’s fought 23 times under their banner, won a tournament, become champion, lost the belt and won it back.
However, that period of his career may be coming to an end.
Chandler is a free agent for the first time since signing with Bellator, and he ended his contract on a high note by plastering Benson Henderson in the first round. It was impressive work, and UFC President Dana White expressed interest in meeting with the former champion.
If he does cross over to UFC, Chandler wants to dive into the deep end of Lightweight competition. Appropriately, Chandler appears to be hinting at a match with former interim titleholder Dustin Poirier.
Man…the public wants it if it happens…. pic.twitter.com/mDkoTV4tLW
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 20, 2020
Earlier today, Poirier seemed to be hinting at a potential fight as well, though there are potential opponents beyond Chandler that are possible, such as Conor McGregor or Tony Ferguson.
There will be blood
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) August 19, 2020
Chandler has been one of the best Lightweights in the world for a long time, and this would be a tremendous match up. However, it’s important to remember that the most likely outcome sees Chandler remain in Bellator.
Still … it’s fun of thinking of what could be until something is confirmed.
Insomnia
It’s wild that Glover Teixeira is potentially one more win away from a title shot in 2020.
Interesting note from manager Jorge Guimaraes (@jgjoia) … Brazilian Glory Kickboxing champion Alex Pereira is helping Glover Teixeira prepare for Thiago Santos. Pereira might sound familiar in that he beat Israel Adesanya twice in the ring. He’s been considering a move to MMA.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 19, 2020
Okay, this is actually pretty funny. Here’s hoping Ben Askren can actually help Chase Hooper improve!
Well I took @chase_hooper to practice at @awawisconsin and it didn’t go so well! pic.twitter.com/Vyz4cmQWpK
— Funky (@Benaskren) August 19, 2020
Did you miss the first CamSoda Legends MMA event? Apparently, there will be a second!
Peak MMA pic.twitter.com/r63MuCp739
— Ben Kiely (@TheJivemaster) August 19, 2020
Someone paid to have Darren Till talk shit to either themselves or their buddies.
Darren Till’s Cameo videos are exactly as you’d expect them to be. pic.twitter.com/z8lxMMAif5
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) August 19, 2020
My first reaction wrongly believed this was a can-crushing joke …
An artist pays tribute to the legendary bond between Khabib Nurmagomedov and his recently deceased father.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
“The Bodysnatcher” returns on Saturday night!
— MMA Gone Wild (@mmagonewild) August 19, 2020
Familiarize yourself with one of Professional Fighters League’s baddest Light Heavyweights:
: Every @emilianosordi Knockout in PFL
: Todos los Nocauts de Emiliano Sordi en PFL pic.twitter.com/UjnAw7lPsv
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 19, 2020
Al Iaquinta’s knockout over Ross Pearson popped up in my feed today, and I’ve always enjoyed Iaquinta bonking people with that thudding right hand.
— _Isaac (@Isaac9779) August 19, 2020
Random Land
A fire inside a tree:
Midnight Music: Tonight’s music selection is brought to you by the Netflix show Dark, which is fantastic. I finished the second season directly before writing this!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.