Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
When it rains, it pours.
Fight week cancellations are becoming more and more common to the point that it’s no longer wise to get excited for a fight until the two athletes are locked in the cage. COVID-19 ruined Saturday night’s scheduled preliminary headliner by forcing Belal Muhammad out of his bout with Dhiego Lima.
Now, another fight has fallen through. Per an initial report from Al Zullino, veteran Lightweight Rick Glenn has been forced out of his undercard bout with Carlton Minus. It is rumored that Glenn’s reason for withdrawal is COVID-19, though at the moment it remains unconfirmed.
It’s a real rough turn of events for Glenn, who has been sidelined with injuries for just over two years. Otherwise, the former World Series of Fighting (WSOF) champion holds a 3-3 record inside the Octagon and was planning to make a return to 155-pounds.
Meanwhile, UFC is still looking for a replacement opponent for Minus. The Alaskan is still searching for his first UFC victory after a debut loss in August, and this bout was scheduled to be his first at Lightweight.
Insomnia
Max Griffin got some new ink on his elbow to celebrate surgically removing an ear in his most recent bout.
My newest SouvenEar #ufc #tattoos #ears #manofmyword #appendage #bodyparts #gotem #ramizbrahimaj #viral #history #cleanAF #tattootreez #mpg pic.twitter.com/ceRux7Qb1m
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) December 14, 2020
Why is this so accurate?
i’d say a solid eighty percent of valentina’s posts could be used as pharmaceutical adverts pic.twitter.com/Vwod4MaGFF
— Hektic_One (@hektic_one) December 16, 2020
Kevin Holland presents the best reason in recent memory for wanting to fight someone:
Kevin Holland’s explanation for why he wants to fight Derek Brunson is unique
(via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/sC8ExToCnG
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 16, 2020
Song Yadong shows off his speed on Sacramento’s most famous bridge:
Congratulations to Jan Blachowicz!
The royal line sustained The heir to the throne is with us!
Thank you Dorota, you are incredible! You are a better fighter than the UFC champion 😉 Proud dad. #LegendaryPolishPower #longlivethefighters pic.twitter.com/99eQfFY4mY
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) December 15, 2020
Megan Anderson is salty that Amanda Nunes is working more actively towards a Jake Paul fight than their official title fight, but … “Lioness” would make way more cash on the freak show fight, and that’s the one most fans would probably rather see if forced to choose.
The face you make when you’re opponent doesn’t have a ‘set time frame’ to reschedule your fight but wants to fight a YouTuber… pic.twitter.com/r7UT4ISFkr
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) December 16, 2020
Former Midnight Mania leader Andrew Pearson linked this one to me: a helpful bit of info for young fighters looking to sign a contract.
@joerogan Thought this may be of value for some of your audience. Pointers for fighters signing their first management contract https://t.co/qKG7WrFJTe
— Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) December 16, 2020
Slips, rips, and KO clips
A nice jab feint to left body shot:
THE LAST PIRATE ??? #CW119 pic.twitter.com/yfCynsDlTN
— Connoisseur of Combat (@ConOfCombat) December 12, 2020
Another body shot knockout, this one setup by raw aggression and power more than anything else!
Vicious body shot KO by Sanjeet Budhwar #MFN5Dubai pic.twitter.com/smxVl04Wno
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 15, 2020
Drako Rodriguez slams his way out of an armbar before immediately attacking the neck to secure his pro debut victory. Rodriguez faces Aiemann Zahabi this Saturday.
Drako Rodriguez finished Derek Perez with a Guillotine R1 to win his Pro debut at KOTC – Next Level #UFCVegas17 pic.twitter.com/9XLLcGufdi
— John Jack (@NHB_GIFS) December 16, 2020
Random Land
This is 100% not the spotter’s fault, but it’s still funny.
Midnight Music: Another ripping garage rock track from the ‘60s!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.