Midnight Mania! Canelo Shuts Down Usman: It’s Not Your Turn!

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Consider tonight’s article a continuation of last night’s piece, in which Canelo Alvarez laughed off Ali Abdelaziz’s attempt to label him a “chicken.” Earlier today, Kamaru Usman responded to back his manager and start further conversation with the boxing superstar. “Let’s just all relax,” Usman wrote. “before somebody gets hurt.” Canelo found common ground with “Nigerian Nightmare” and agreed to back off … sort of!

In response, Usman pondered whether or not Canelo would be willing to fight him in the ring, Octagon, or both. No MMA fight between the two has been discussed at all; it’s been Usman and his team pushing for the boxing match in search of a gigantic payday and big step up in publicity.

Alvarez pointed out as much in reply, advising Usman to “sit down” and wait his turn for their fight. As he’s mentioned previously, Canelo’s focus right now is on further building his boxing legacy, not seeking crossover fights with MMA champions.

If there’s a silver lining here for Usman, Canelo seems eventually willing to fight the wrestler. In order for the match up to remain an eventual option, however, Usman will have to remain the undisputed champion, and there are some top-notch challengers like Khamzat Chimaev coming up at 170 lbs.

Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou feels a lot more likely.

Five Weeks Of Self-Promotion

At the moment, I’m still waiting to hear back on a new opponent. I’ve accepted one, but nothing is confirmed. The plan remains to compete on May 28, but well, MMA …

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Insomnia

Absolutely gigantic news for One Championship, who have been putting on excellent cards lately.

Stephen Thompson throws his name in the hat to fight a Diaz brother, which sounds like an awful match up for Stockton’s favorite sons.

Yoel Romero has some of the most aesthetic wrestling in MMA history. It’s a great “What if?” to imagine the Cuban transitioning to MMA earlier in life.

Who should Tom Aspinall fight next? I like the Tai Tuivasa fight.

This physically hurts to watch.

… Maybe Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Zhang Weili being three rounds isn’t decided after all?

Ouch!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

A classic kickboxing KO:

Any time a teep/front kick gets passed across the body, there are huge openings for counter shots.

Throwback to the days when Andrei Arlovski fights were fun — in all seriousness, good for “The Pitbull” for finding a winning and safe strategy in his 40s!

Random Land

Owls are cool.

Midnight Music: East coast rap, 1993

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