Midnight Mania! Watch Scary Ngannou Crush Pads From Trainer’s POV

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Few, if any, fighters in history can attack quite like Francis Ngannou. Per UFC’s punching power machine, “The Predator” hits harder than anyone else, but there’s more to it than simple impact. Ngannou’s long reach and speed make for a devastating forward charge unlike any other, capable of knocking out a decorated kickboxer like Jairzinho Rozenstruik in seconds (HIGHLIGHTS!)

There’s a reason his last four fights have lasted less than three minutes.

What’s it like to help train a monster like Ngannou? Past videos have shown Ngannou tossing around and generally beating up his mitt holders — it seems like a difficult job! Thanks to Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick, however, we can get a taste of the experience without actually feeling an Ngannou haymaker rattle our joints.

Check it out:

“I’ve never been shark cage diving,” Nickson wrote, “but I imagine it’s a lot like this …”

It has not yet been officially announced, but it’s believed that Ngannou will receive his long-awaited rematch and title shot opposite Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 on March 27. Miocic successfully dodged the above hammers last time he stepped into the cage with Ngannou, but there’s little room for error against a puncher like that.

Insomnia

Khabib reacts to his submission of the year award:

Dana White vs. UFC pirates is the real headliner this weekend.

A lot has changed since Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier first faced off years ago.

Even in retirement, Mike Bisping takes his conditioning seriously.

Alexander Volkanovski breaking down his strategy opposite Max Holloway. The Featherweight champion is a smart cookie!

Who should TJ Dillashaw face in his return bout? It will be interesting to see if Dillashaw can perform at the same level two years later (and possibly minus some helpful supplements).

Slips, rips, and KO clips

These are some MEAN dipping jabs! When two jabs collide, the man with the lowered level and head off the center line will consistently land cleaner.

A different historic slugfest in Manila!

Gaetano Pirrello fills in on short-notice to fight Bantamweight contender Ricky Simon tomorrow morning.

Random Land

A unique and gorgeous view!

Midnight Music: It’s impossible to separate the original track from MIA’s “Paper Planes,” but here’s a classic from The Clash.

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.