Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Last night, major news broke regarding UFC 262, announcing Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira as the main event in a Lightweight title bout. There’s been another major addition to the pay-per-view (PPV) event, as LA Times’ Manouk Akopyan has announced that No. 6-ranked Middleweight Jack Hermansson will return to action opposite No. 12-ranked Edmen Shahbazyan on the main card.
Hermansson was closing in on a title shot in 2019, but the Swedish “Joker” has since struggled a bit, losing two of three bouts. Fortunately, the one win in his recent span was a first-round finish via heel hook opposite Kelvin Gastelum, so the veteran grappler is not out of the elite picture just yet.
On the other hand, Shahbazyan entered his first-ever main event slot against Derek Brunson as his division’s hottest prospect, 11-0 and ready to break into the title mix. Brunson flipped the script on him with an excellent performance, but “The Golden Boy” remains a talented boxer at just 23 years of age.
One of these skilled Middleweights will return to the win column, while the other will leave on a losing streak. Who ya’ got?!?
Insomnia
That’s gold Jerry, GOLD!
For those who love freak show fights between giant burly men, KSW will provide tomorrow night.
The World’s Strongest Man
PUDZIANOWSKI 265lbsSenegalese Wrestling Icon
BOMBARDIER 333lbsTomorrow night!! #KSW59 pic.twitter.com/wGWX2ve5OI
— KSW (@KSW_MMA) March 19, 2021
Today’s UFC weigh-ins were … eventful.
Julija Stoliarenko just fainted on the scale #UFCVegas22 pic.twitter.com/3PjNMUGxFf
— The Schmo (@TheSchmo312) March 19, 2021
Derek Brunson and Kevin Holland are really “feeling each other out” (posted by @KyleAnthonyUFC) #UFCVegas22 pic.twitter.com/QTysMH1OYK
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) March 19, 2021
Justin Gaethje deserves another high-profile bout as the most recent title challenger, but will admit that I think Oliveira vs. Chandler was the fight to make (assuming Dustin Poirier is indeed occupied with Conor McGregor).
I woke up yesterday to train for a matchup with Chandler on May 15th expecting a bout agreement any moment. Today that is not the case, I don’t know what I do yet but I like this feeling. It was a good day at sparring practice.
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) March 20, 2021
Well … now what?
Derek Brunson’s wrestling is no joke, but will it be enough to handle Kevin Holland?
Slips, rips, and KO clips
This is a terrific angle on a huge knockout (plus another view for good measure).
Great ringside view captured by @ringcityusa of Angel Fierro’s finish of Alberto Machado
What a night! pic.twitter.com/B1FfcndOvD
— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) March 19, 2021
WHAT A KO BY FIERRO! #MachadoVsFierro#RingCityUSA #NBCSN #ThursdayNightBoxing #AnyoneAnytimeAnywhere! pic.twitter.com/g1xYBRYyoo
— Ring City USA (@ringcityusa) March 19, 2021
There is only one crazy horse in MMA for this writer, but still, this was a clean knee KO.
The Crazy Horse is back to his winning ways! You can’t brawl with Josh Reed
Watch the #CW121 prelims now, on @UFCFightPass pic.twitter.com/MamaEI96Ix
— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) March 19, 2021
Brad Riddell has been scrapping for a very long time.
Random Land
This is some absolutely next-level talent.
Midnight Music: Buffalo rapper Benny the Butcher dropped a follow up to 2019’s The Plugs I Met, teaming up with producer Harry Fraud for another short project. Compared to the first EP — some of the hardest raps I’ve heard — the sequel is far more thoughtful, even remorseful. I like the grittier, meaner first one, but still … good stuff!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.