Midnight Mania: ‘Ruthless’ In BKFC?

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has established itself as a potential post-UFC path for well-loved champions and top contenders. Athletes like Eddie Alvarez, Hector Lombard, Luke Rockhold, and Chad Mendes have all dropped the gloves and stepped into the squared circle (to mixed results) in recent years. It’s not exactly a pension, but BKFC really is a viable “retirement” path for many UFC stars.

Perhaps “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler is next? The longtime MMA veteran and former Welterweight kingpin was recently spotted with BKFC President David Feldman, and naturally, speculation ran rampant online. Some fight fans were very excited about the prospect of Lawler getting violent in a new format, while others were nervous about the retired athlete getting back in the ring.

Here’s a sample of the reactions:

“Can’t imagine how his lip might look after a BKFC fight”

“Please no”

“Someone’s gonna get hurt, Lawler is a beast”

“Robbie Lawler is the only retired UFC fighter able to beat Mike Perry”

“Lawler vs Perry for the most violent title? Make sense to me”

“Big nope for me”

“Further proof UFC fighters don’t make enough”

“I’m good on that. If Robbie wants to do it then cool, but his send off was the best ever and I don’t need to see him fight again”

As mentioned by several fans, Lawler vs. Perry is the obvious booking here IF Lawler is interesting in getting back into action. “Platinum” needs a high-profile opponent, and the two competed at the same weight class in the UFC. Lawler is a older than would be ideal, but there aren’t a ton of perfect options available for Perry — the face of BKFC — at the moment.

If Lawler isn’t interested in joining the BKFC roster, “Ruthless” left on an incredible high note. At UFC 290 in July 2023, Lawler needed less than a minute to pummel the consciousness from Niko Price’s skull (watch highlights) then retired under the wild cheers of an adoring crowd.

Insomnia

I will become Deontay Wilder’s biggest fan if he hits this spin move in a match.

A lovely breakdown of some big man air time!

For all the “boring” talk, I think Aljamain Sterling vs. Movsar Evloev would be a really fun fight. Dominant wrestlers are most usually boring when they’re dominating a striker who can’t make it interesting!

The cast of The Smashing Machine is selling me on the seeing the new film. If you haven’t seen the 2002 documentary (essential viewing for MMA fans), watch HERE!

More Welterweight violence added to UFC 304:

This picture of Jiri Prochazka after three days without food does actually make a Middleweight move appear feasible.

A quick look into Sean Strickland’s UFC 302 fight camp:

Slips, rips, and KO clips

I cannot help but cheer for a fighter described as a Fedor student who blends clinching with powerful hooks.

A strong left kick into the open side can bully even the most talented of strikers.

A highlight of the man stepping in to face Sharaputdin Magomedov:

Random Land

Know your dogs.

Midnight Music: A new version/recording/master of an all-time great song.

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