Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Just a months ago, UFC veteran and former One Featherweight champion, John Lineker, crossed into the ring with a successful professional Muay Thai debut opposite Asa Ten Pow. Lineker entered the match up as a significant underdog, but his “Hands of Stone” proved more than sufficient in battering Ten Pow and securing the late knockout win (watch here).
The Brazilian’s Muay Thai venture continued opposite Alexey Balyko earlier tonight (Fri., Oct. 4, 2024) at the One Fight Night 125 event from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand against Alexey Balyko. Balyko is an experienced Russian kickboxer who entered with a 3-1 record in One, but it was a step back from Ten Pow and Lineker won easily.
The fight didn’t last a round, and it was all Lineker. The Brazilian fireplug exploded forward with his usual mix of left hooks and overhands, and the left hook kept finding its mark. He dropped Balyko twice before finishing the wobbly athlete off with a MASSIVE left hook that slumped him to the canvas.
Check out the finish clip below:
Done in ONE John Lineker steamrolls Alexey Balyko in under a round!
Tune in to Prime Video and Sky Sports NOW to catch the rest of ONE Fight Night 25!#ONEFightNight25 | Live Now
Watch Live on Prime https://t.co/cGrOoYkCs3
Watch Live on Sky Sports
Live TV… pic.twitter.com/qci5k8urcm— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) October 5, 2024
John Lineker continues his winning run in Muay Thai.
Knocks out the dangerous Alexey Balyko in the first round.#ONEChampionship #ONEFightNight25 pic.twitter.com/jnRXbZ8Kkw
— Nicolas Atkin (@nicatkinONE) October 5, 2024
After the win, Lineker called out Rodtang, probably the most well-known Muay Thai fighter on the One roster. Rodtang is famous for his aggressive fighting style and iron chin, and though he’d be smaller than Lineker, it would surely be an electric match up if it materializes.
One way or another, Lineker seems to have found a home in the art of eight limbs!
Insomnia
Kayla Harrison vs. Henry Cejudo … book it!
Kayla Harrison went IN on Henry Cejudo
“Bro you better get your boy f***ing Henry. I’m gonna f*** him up…
I’m telling you, he’s jealous because I have more gold medals than him. He can’t handle it. His little fragile ego.”
@ufc #UFC #MMA #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/nZIqaTHrwj
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 3, 2024
It feels like some really fun wrestling scrambles are guaranteed in this one.
Cody Stamann will fight Da’Mon Blackshear at #UFCVegas100 on November 9th. (first rep. @TeamIridiumISA) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/8Y8SdHPcRQ
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) October 3, 2024
I don’t know how this story came up on an official UFC broadcast, but I’m glad it did.
Chris Weidman tells a disgusting story live on air during the weigh in show
(via @ufc) pic.twitter.com/rqkSAxmBGs— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 4, 2024
To laugh or to cry? That’s the question.
BJ Penn got duped by Jake Paul’s fat suit ? pic.twitter.com/mSmXKYLb6c
— FullContactMTWF (@FullContactMTWF) October 4, 2024
Joaquin Buckley and Kevin Holland actually want to be best buds so bad.
Joaquin Buckley and Kevin Holland in the lobby before #UFC307 weigh-ins pic.twitter.com/JTBD5wYzlW
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 4, 2024
Your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter.
This has to be a reoccurring injury, but still! Gnarly.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Naoya Inoue has been tearing up bodies for years and years now. That inside tie to left liver shot feels like it would work well in MMA!
On this day 12 years ago a 19 year old Naoya Inoue ???? made his professional debut against Crison Omayao pic.twitter.com/rLWZXJPeJs
— Tokker? (@ATokkers5) October 2, 2024
Impressive to control the neck for that long and still have the juice for the final squeeze.
Slick transition from peruvian necktie to anaconda by Alberto Montes, it’s been a while since I’ve seen an anaconda finish with a gator roll. pic.twitter.com/7B83ITE314
— Feño (@fenoxsky) October 2, 2024
Really long kicks with huge power at the end:
Making his debut for Superlek’s new gym, 19 yo top prospect Saenrak Superlekmuaythai put on a show against Pakorn Boomdeksian , winning by KO in r4 with a head kick out of nowhere.
Saenrak was a top prospect in 2023 but took a break after losing 2 in a row 7 months ago. pic.twitter.com/QkmbBw2U78
— TakeiFan (@Lev_kick) October 2, 2024
Random Land
A rock climbing cat … how could I not post?
rock climbing pic.twitter.com/9UTrSCjKux
— Kitty Cat Empire (@KittyCatEmpire) September 21, 2024
Midnight Music: Tomorrow, I will be cornering my team mate, Namiki Kawahara, as he challenges for the Cage Warriors Academy Strawweight title. Here’s his walkout song!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.