Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Estimating pay-per-view (PPV) numbers has long been a tricky business filled with guesswork. Previous to the ESPN deal, industry insiders could provide reasonably reliable estimates, but nowadays Google search trends and similar tools are our best bet at figuring out a ballpark for PPV buys.
Unless a star like Conor McGregor takes it upon himself to reveal the numbers himself! In the Tweet below, McGregor congratulates UFC on a successful 2020 before claiming to own the record of best-selling PPV of the year with 1.35 million buys.
Congrats to the @ufc on a well fought 2020! The only sporting company on the planet to come through the entire year! Incredible!
I am honoured to secure their highest PPV of the year with McGregor Vs Cerrone.
Congrats Donald, and also on his double submission win last night. #No1 pic.twitter.com/Xvh76Gki3U— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 21, 2020
It’s impossible to know the exact figures without seeing his contract, but each of those buys represents a few dollars that go directly to the Irishman himself, which makes for a pretty penny!
Assuming McGregor’s figure and position as best-seller are accurate, he likely narrowly edged the UFC 251 PPV buys. Headlined by Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal, UFC 251 reportedly sold 1.3 million, so it was likely a close race for the top slot!
In addition, McGregor added a little reminder that his main event vs. Cerrone saw him win via 40-second knockout without taking a single strike in the process. It may have been his only fight of 2020, but McGregor made it count!
100% offence. 100% defence.
Highest PPV. Highest gate.
Fastest Main Event KO of the year.
2020. 40 seconds.
Roll on 2021! #McGregorSportsAndEntertainment pic.twitter.com/C0ueay2R7p— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 21, 2020
We’re less than a month away from McGregor’s planned return vs. Dustin Poirier in the UFC 257 headliner.
Insomnia
TJ Dillashaw’s complete lack of self-awareness in calling himself champion after getting knocked out and busted for PEDs is almost admirable.
Dog if this was like NCAA sports your ‘titles’ would have been wiped out of the record books. #cmonman my money is with @funkmasterMMA in that division. https://t.co/llDsQxql8R
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) December 20, 2020
Or because you are 5’3 https://t.co/mLtK79uvaP
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) December 20, 2020
Will 2021 be the year of multiple Heavyweight title fights?
The heavyweight title picture appears to be taking shape
More from @arielhelwani in this edition of UFC Real or Not https://t.co/6GLdEWpFJq pic.twitter.com/363V2mKBiq
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 21, 2020
Stephen Thompson, classy as ever!
Man what a fight! @handzofsteelmma you are one tough guy and it was an honor to share the octagon with you. Tough as nails and next level boxing. No doubt you’ll rise to the top. I want to thank God, my family, coaches, and the @ufc for makin it all happen! #UFC #ThompsonVSNeal pic.twitter.com/2uT08D6aoy
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) December 20, 2020
Even those in the winner’s circle are usually a bit beat up (check out Jeff Bottari’s page for more!):
Love the style of these photos. pic.twitter.com/BFdMZjtMca
— MS (@UFC_Obsessed) December 21, 2020
Let’s end with another couple party memes:
https://t.co/tC2u0xp4yj pic.twitter.com/JkNoyDQjOr
— As Shopped As It Gets (@AsShopped) December 20, 2020
Only real MMA fans can relate. pic.twitter.com/xtTopsZAoj
— The Combat Hub (@combathubreal) December 21, 2020
Enjoy this update on Josh Emmett’s ACL repair and accompanying disgusting videos:
Slips, rips, and KO clips
A jumping switch kick straight to the jaw!
WOOOOOOOW??Incredible win by Roman Ogluchansky! pic.twitter.com/fntjm75sfJ
— ACAMMA (@ACA_League) December 18, 2020
This Sonny Liston highlight is positively violent!
Ever wonder why Charles “Sonny” Liston is still considered one of the scariest fighters of all time after 60 years? Well… pic.twitter.com/twqCxsyQiW
— Boxing History (@BoxingHistory) December 18, 2020
If a kick catches the right spot or moment where the opponent is inhaling a breath, it really doesn’t take much impact to end the fight!
An unassuming teep to the sternum gets it done for Levi Rigters in the Heavyweight tournament final! #GLORY76 pic.twitter.com/JqFZC0VwW4
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) December 19, 2020
Random Land
I don’t believe I’ve yet posted any snowmobile antics in this section.
Midnight Music: I really dug this track from King Curtis, who accomplished a lot in a fairly short time, both as a bandleader and session musician. King Curtis’ saxophone can be heard on Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” a couple tracks off John Lennon’s Imagine, and Sam Cooke’s Live At The Harlem Square Club to name a few!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.