Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
The UFC Flyweight title picture just gained some much-needed clarity, as a breaking report from AG Fight revealed that contenders Brandon Royval and Manel Kape will square off on March 1 from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the moment, it’s unknown if the fight will be the main event, but it’s likely given that it’s being announced as a title eliminator.
At the moment, Alexandre Pantoja’s grip on Flyweight gold is iron. The Brazilian has defeated most of the top contenders, including both Kape and Royval, which is why relative newcomers like Steve Erceg and Kai Asakura were pushed quickly into title shots. There is still a chance that Deiveson Figueiredo — who defeated Pantoja back in 2019 — drops down to 125-pounds again for his own title shot before these two collide, in which case the winners would all likely face off.
Regardless of timing, Royval and Kape have proven themselves elite talents. “Raw Dog” fought Pantoja for the belt in December 2023, but since coming up short, he’s picked up an excellent pair of wins over Brandon Morenoo and Tatsuro Taira. Kape, meanwhile, styled on Bruno Silva just last weekend at UFC Tampa, scoring a third-round knockout to reassert himself into the title picture. Dreadfully boring fight with Muhammad Mokaev aside, “Starboy” has won five of his last six fights.
Insomnia
Shara Magomedov has kept it together since joining the UFC roster, but it feels a bit ominous that there’s two public videos of him getting aggressive previously.
MMA fighter Shara “Bullet” Magomedov gets mad at stranger for kissing in public. pic.twitter.com/Wr3tW0tAHU
— Criminal Tube (@CriminalTube) December 20, 2024
Jasmine Jasudavicius flew under the radar a bit, but she might be Canada’s best fighter heading into 2025.
We don’t get too high on our wins, don’t get too low on the losses. Just keep getting better every day. Can’t wait for 2025 #StayVicious #MMA #UFC pic.twitter.com/0j0UiTE1h1
— Jasmine Jasudavicius (@JasJasudavicius) December 20, 2024
I don’t think Randy Couture gets enough credit for his accomplishments in two separate divisions. One of the greats!
Randy sneaks an elbow making Gonzaga think he’s pummeling for an underhook. pic.twitter.com/ti1ZV7E3py
— Feño (@fenoxsky) December 20, 2024
Just Randy Couture casually being more agile, well rounded and a better transition fighter than most current heavyweights at the age of 44, 18 years ago. pic.twitter.com/gD8Y6anLtE
— Feño (@fenoxsky) December 20, 2024
This series is going to be absolutely heartbreaking and could go on for ages without running low on material.
‘Dark Side of the Cage’ premieres January 8 on VICE TV.
S1 will include episodes on Ronda Rousey, Nick Diaz, Diego Sanchez, War Machine, Kimbo Slice, Matt Hughes, Evan Tanner, The Rise and Fall of PRIDE & TUF pic.twitter.com/dPXGg2c5I5
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 20, 2024
Jon Jones and driving, a combination like bleach and vinegar.
Jon Jones drove a YouTuber’s Bugatti and immediately almost spun out pic.twitter.com/ulpXbpD8QW
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) December 20, 2024
Young Islam was about that thug life.
Young Islam Makhachev was a Dagestani Sean Strickland. pic.twitter.com/R60nUsrRqV
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 20, 2024
Quality Welterweight prospect slugfest coming to an Apex near you.
Danny Barlow will fight Sam Patterson at #UFCVegas103 on March 1st. (first rep. @realkevink) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/rpkQuYYlkd
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) December 20, 2024
A classic bit of regional Russian fighting antics.
AKA normal week for Russian regional MMA https://t.co/JjDzaehAXp pic.twitter.com/sCtjXsQoUJ
— Matysek (@Matysek88) December 19, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Standard four-ounce Muay Thai violence!
SUAKIM. That was pure chaos, what a faceplant. Sneaky little shovel hook #ONEFridayFights91 pic.twitter.com/Zo1vXijlsk
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 20, 2024
Jabbed directly into the path of an overhand …
Plot twist!!! #LFA198 pic.twitter.com/Ac3pAC0R7G
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 7, 2024
A Men’s Strawweight slugfest leads to the second round knockout.
Thongpoon TKO2 Danial Williams #ONEFightNight26 pic.twitter.com/On4SVpWOUA
— Neo Vale Tudo (@NeoValeTudo) December 7, 2024
Random Land
Perspective is important. Clips like this are a good reminder to complain less.
That’s not how it looks in Minecraft pic.twitter.com/r2tcFNUrFj
— Peché Africa (@pmcafrica) December 18, 2024
Midnight Music: Hard rock, 1992
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.