Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
If Fight Island has an associated slogan, it might as well be “strike while the iron is hot!”
Take Khamzat Chimaev, for example. “Borz” debuted with an utterly dominant display, and UFC promptly booked him to fight 10 days later. He won again in similar fashion, which established himself as a major fighter to watch. A month or so later, a brutal one-punch knockout turned Chimaev into the sport’s hottest prospect.
Fortunes are changing quickly for a select few up-and-comers.
Joaquin Buckley may already be the next man to leave Abu Dhubi with a huge boost in recognition and popularity. He may have lost his short-notice debut to the very talented Kevin Holland, but Buckley rebounded in quite literally the best possible way, scoring perhaps the greatest knockout of all time over Impa Kasanganay just a few days ago (watch it in slow-mo).
Per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Buckley will return opposite Jordan Wright at UFC 255 on Nov. 21. Undefeated at 11-0 (1), “The Beverly Hills Ninja” is a “Contender Series” product who has finished all of his victories. All in all, it sounds like a reasonable match up for both Middleweights, as well as a recipe for another highlight reel finish!
Lastly, it would be inappropriate to write a fight announcement for Buckley without including the clip — this edit is the best yet!
Insomnia
Both Ciryl Gane and Ante Dleija react with grace to a missed opportunity (which is probably a bit easier without a weight cut).
The co-main event between Cyril Gane and Ante Delija may have fallen through due to Delija’s contractual issues, but that didn’t stop Gane and Delija from competing on the basketball court on Fight Island.
Their sportsmanship is inspiring.
( Courtesy: Instagram/stipedrvis) pic.twitter.com/WKhIXIXKuT
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 14, 2020
I don’t know how to say this without being sound name-dropper-y, but from personal experience: Megan and Joe are awesome human beings, and everyone should be fans.
UFC’s @MeganOlivi explains why she can’t watch the “#UFCFightIsland: Declassified” series involving Joseph Benavidez’s loss.
Full interview: https://t.co/2BrZHrwZEE pic.twitter.com/xv5qeMf3zl
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) October 13, 2020
Man vs. pumpkin!
Can Brian Ortega recover from one of the most historic beatdowns in UFC history?
Billy Quarantillo wins this round vs. a salty regional promoter.
How it started How it’s going pic.twitter.com/DgCm3u91Gt
— Billy Q (@BillyQMMA) October 14, 2020
Paulo Costa and Anthony Johnson are talking a bit of trash on Twitter, and man, this is a weird exchange that would’ve been more appropriate as a Youtube comment in 2010.
I don’t do the talking back and forth but the last BBC you did that to fucked your ass at the end DOGGY STYLE
Now your name is LOOSE BOOTY
You must want missionary next by me?
I respect you but make sure you know your role…
I’m not the 1 kid https://t.co/Gnby6j8Q5F— Rumble Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) October 15, 2020
Slips, rips, and KO clips
A highlight of other crazy knockouts seems fitting for tonight’s article.
Right body-right uppercut-right hand!
This first round KO by Diego Pacheco last December was vicious.
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) October 12, 2020
When sloppy spinning strikes go … right?
Jamelle Jones KO1 Tyler King #CES61 pic.twitter.com/GqUgRFJ3rk
— Streetfight Banned-cho (@streetfitebncho) October 15, 2020
Random Land
While very neat looking, this does not appear to be ideal camouflage.
Midnight Music: My girlfriend put on a ‘70s playlist while we cleaned up around the house today, and I’m pretty sure it played entirely through three times.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.