Midnight Mania: Izzy Denies Holloway Copycat Point — ‘Commentary Booth Got It Wrong!’

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya was exactly as wild as most expected (watch here).

The UFC 305 main event saw a back-and-forth war for most of four rounds. Both men started strong on the feet in the first round, then “DDP” took over in the second momentarily with his wrestling attack. Adesanya took back the third with active body punching that seemed to really push momentum into his corner, but Du Plessis managed to hurt him and secure the late finish via rear naked choke.

During the finishing sequence, there was a moment where Adesanya was stumbled by a “DDP” left hand. After regaining his feet, Adesanya pointed to the ground then was promptly rocked by big punches and submitted. The commentary crew thought “Stylebender” was trying to copy Max Holloway’s signature point-and-brawl, a move made famous by his Justin Gaethje knockout win.

Adesanya explained differently on his YouTube channel. The former champion explained that he was merely pointing out that he tripped and didn’t want to encourage a surging Du Plessis.

“Let me explain this because the commentary booth got it wrong,” Adesanya began. “I was moving, then my right ankle rolled, and I tripped as he was throwing. To the untrained eye, in the moment, it looked like — I think maybe [Dominick Cruz] said, ‘That was a really bad shot he got hit with’ — and it looked like I was rocked.

“I got up and circled out, and I pointed at the ground, looking at [Du Plessis]. [Daniel Cormier] goes, ‘He’s pointing at the ground like Max Holloway, like come here!’ Nope. What I said to him was like, I tripped. You didn’t rock me. I didn’t want him to think he rocked me.”

Since Holloway’s legendary finish over Gaethje, we’ve seen quite a few fighters try to copy the “Blessed” stand-and-bang point at the ground. It has yet to pay off, which perhaps serves as further evidence that Holloway really is the baddest dude around.

As for Adesanya, it remains to be seen what’s next for “The Stylebender.”

Insomnia

I have very much enjoyed the post-fight show of respect between Adesanya and Du Plessis. I somewhat expected continued bitterness from at least one side, so this is cool to see.

Nate Diaz didn’t want that Gabi Garcia smoke!

The downside of being on the UFC roster for a while is that you’ll eventually end up on the wrong side of somebody’s highlights.

Elite jiu-jitsu scrambles are so fun.

Joe Rogan and company seem to have been rooting for “Stylebender.”

I cannot get over how good of a fight Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is. Two generational talents are going to try to take each other’s heads off!

Luke Rockhold’s CJI debut didn’t go according to plan.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Sanchez stood his ground and caught his opponent mid-shift with a nasty two-punch counter combo.

A perfect high kick from multiple angles:

Watching this produces a dull ache in my left knee ligaments.

Random Land

The risk of oceanside property.

Midnight Music: Soul, 1967

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