Midnight Mania Video: LFA Title Challenger Breaks Arm, Resets Bone, Fights Four More Rounds!

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Interim Strawweight gold was on the line in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) 197 event, which concluded just moments ago on Friday night (Nov. 22, 2024) from Sao Paulo, Brazil. In the main event, Brazil’s Yasmin Guimares (8-2) challenged the defending champion, Russia’s Natasha Kuziutina (7-1).

Guimares ended up losing a unanimous decision, but she certainly impressed viewers with her heart and grit. Towards the end of the first round, the Brazilian found herself in a deep armbar with her elbow fully locked out. It was cranked at a variety of unpleasant angles, and though Guimares was able to survive to the bell, she walked back to her corner with a clearly limp limb.

It should have been the end of the fight, but Guimares’ corner instead reset the elbow and she continued fighting! She was still clearly hampered by the injury though, unable to defend takedowns or strike to her full abilities. All the same, she managed to win the fourth and threaten submissions throughout the loss.

Check out the highlights of this wild fight:

Interim title or not, defending an LFA belt is usually a recipe for the UFC call-up, so we may see Kuziutina in the Octagon sooner than later. As for Guimares, it was a tremendous display of grit, but one has to be concerned about the longterm consequences of this injury for the 28 year old prospect.

The closest comparison that comes to mind is Frank Mir snapping Tim Sylvia’s arm way back at UFC 48. Referee Herb Dean actually intervened right away and saved Sylvia from further damage, but “The Maine-iac” was still suffering consequences from the injury as recently as 2020. In another similar incident, TJ Dillashaw dislocated his shoulder multiple times in one fight against Aljamain Sterling, and the injury ended up forcing him into retirement.

Hopefully, Guimares is able to recover smoothly and get back in action without issue.

Insomnia

A handful of reactions and general drama around the UFC/MMA sphere regarding the Conor McGregor court verdict …

Islam Makhachev fitting the chill guy meme perfectly must be posted ASAP, because I don’t expect this graphic to last until Monday.

Petr Yan would have to win in the most dramatic way possible to earn a Merab rematch.

It’s the third slide in, but Max Holloway is a real one for posting the picture of himself getting knocked out amidst all these fun shots.

Yoel Romero is looking massive ahead of his Dirty Boxing debut!

It pays to be champ!

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Masvidal!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Lanced this cross straight down the pipe:

I love upkicks. Legalize them against grounded/kneeling opponents, and suddenly the guard becomes a much more viable offensive position.

Loaded up the hook and delivered!

Random Land

Industrial acrobatics.

Midnight Music: New FJM album!!!

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