Midnight Mania! ‘Mentally Unwell’ Strickland Admits Struggles, Violent Thoughts

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Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight! Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Sean Strickland is a complicated figure in mixed martial arts….


UFC 297: Strickland v Du Plessis
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Sean Strickland is a complicated figure in mixed martial arts.

Much of the time, the former champion is unapologetic and abrasive. He’s lashed out against individual people and groups of people, at times without any provocation. These traits alone have earned him a certain fan base, but on the flip side, Strickland has also been open about his mental health struggles and traumatic childhood. That’s valuable in a sport where many are dealing with similar issues, yet relatively few are talking about it.

Earlier on Monday, Strickland filmed an update on his mental health for his Instagram, admitting to struggling and feeling “like I’m a danger to people.” He went into detail on “always fighting the demons” and how his success and wealth haven’t fixed the issues.

“All week I’ve been f—ked up, dude,” Strickland began (via MMA Junkie). “I’ve been on the Twitter saying crazy s—t, just f—king spiraling. I woke up and I told my girl, I was like, ‘Babe, I feel like I’m a danger to people. Like I don’t feel like I should be out in the world.’ And I think that – I have everything. I’m rich, I’m famous, I have everything I ever f—king wanted and I am still mentally unwell. I get in these mindsets to where like I want to burn everything down in the world. Like, I want to have nothing, so I can just f—king lose it and just take out everything on people.

“I think that you guys, in a weird way, are like my family. Like I’ve shared some s—t with you guys, and you guys have shared some s—t with me. I feel more connected with my fans than I think most people feel just because we’ve gone through a lot together. I have everything I want, and I still struggle with mental health. My memory is so short that, like, when I go out into this week, I think to myself, like once I get past it, I think to myself, like, ‘Oh, man. That was a really rough time in my life.’ But then when I really think about it, this happens multiple times a month, every month.”

Strickland did conclude his post on a slightly more positive note, doubling down the important of having a physical outlet in training and hoping the best for his fans with similar struggles.

“Again, I don’t know why I’m telling you guys this. I’ve just been kind of going through some sh*t. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. I’m going to go train right now and try to hurt all of my friends, and all of the demons will go away. I just want you guys to know that I have everything I could ever want in the world, and I still struggle. So, whatever you guys are going through man, hope y’all feel better. Go to the gym, train. F—king wish you all the best.”

Sean Strickland’s last appearance in the Octagon came at UFC 297, when he lost a split-decision and his title to Dricus Du Plessis (watch here). Since then, Strickland has requested an instant rematch, but it remains uncertain how the Middleweight division will shake out. It’s still unknown when Strickland will return to action and against whom.

Hopefully, Strickland is in a better place mentally when it’s time to compete again.

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‘I Feel Like Makhachev Wants To Avoid Us’

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Arman Tsarukyan is confident he’ll get a title shot after his next fight.
The biggest event in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is right around the corner. U…


UFC Fight Night: Weigh-ins
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Arman Tsarukyan is confident he’ll get a title shot after his next fight.

The biggest event in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is right around the corner. UFC 300 will showcase a top-to-bottom line up of some of the sport’s very best, including Lightweight talents, Tsarukyan and his former champion opponent, Charles Oliveira.

UFC CEO, Dana White, has indicated that the match up will lead to the next title challenger for the current champion, Islam Makhachev, a past successor for both men. However, Tsarukyan believes a potential rematch will look to be avoided.

“I feel like Islam wants to avoid us,” Tsarukyan told Morning Kombat (h/t MMA Junkie). “He feels like I’m going to win, and for him, it’s better to fight [Dustin] Poirier than me because I am more dangerous for him.

“I know wrestling, and maybe he can make more money with Dustin,” he continued. “Probably because of that, he’s interested. Anyway, for me, it doesn’t matter. I just focus on Charles Oliveira. After that fight, we’re going to talk.”

Tsarukyan, 27, made his promotional debut on short notice opposite Makhachev in April 2019. Despite his best efforts, Tsarukyan was stifled for his first career loss as he dropped a unanimous decision (21-3 overall).

Now an established Top 5 contender in the 155-pound ranks, Tsarukyan knows what’s at stake in his battle against “Do Bronx.” Whether the champion likes it or not, they’ll have to fight again at some point.

“Not maybe. It’s 100 percent contender No. 1 for the title,” Tsarukyan said. “After this fight, I’m going to be contender No. 1 and I’m going to fight for the title. That’s it.”

Conor McGregor coach John Kavanagh confused by UFC’s ‘Weird’ handling of the megastar’s anticipated return

Conor McGregor coach John Kavanagh confused by UFC's 'weird' handling of megastar's anticipated returnNot even Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh knows why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book his…

Conor McGregor coach John Kavanagh confused by UFC's 'weird' handling of megastar's anticipated return

Not even Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh knows why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book his return to the Octagon.

McGregor has been sidelined ever since suffering a leg injury in the UFC 264 main event in July 2021. Last year, the former two-division champion began hyping up his quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sports history” — something that has been rumored for UFC 296 last December, UFC 300 on April 13, and most recently, June 29 when the promotion wraps up International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

Conor McGregor

During his appearance on The MMA Hour alongside Alta business partner Rich Chou, Kavanagh was inevitably asked for his take on the situation with Conor McGregor and why it’s taking so long for the UFC to book a fight with MMA’s biggest name.

As it turns out, Kavanaugh is just as clueless as the rest of us.

“I won’t pretend to know the politics and what’s going on with legal stuff in the background,” Kavanaugh said. “All I know is it seems odd that we’re not getting [any news]. Like I said, I really am speaking from a position of ignorance because I actually try to purposefully avoid all of that.

“[McGregor’s manager] Audie [Attar] and the team, they do all that, they go back and forth with Hunter [Campbell] and the UFC team. But yeah, it’s weird to me for someone to be the star he is and not get more opportunities” (h/t MMA Fighting).

UFC Fans can get their Conor mcGregor fix on March 21

Conor McGregor is the highest-grossing athlete in UFC history, accounting for eight of the 10 biggest pay-per-view buyrates of all time. He has played a pivotal role in the promotion’s continued growth and mainstream appeal, which will undoubtedly come in handy when the UFC heads back to the negotiating table as their broadcast deal with ESPN is set to expire at the end of 2025.

‘Mystic Mac’ is also set to make his feature film debut this week (March 21) when Amazon Prime Video releases its remake of the 1989 action classic Road House. Taking over the role originally played by the late Patrick Swayze, Road House stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a former UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys.

McGregor plays Knox, one of the film’s antagonists.

Conor McGregor

“Look, I’m going to meet him either this evening or certainly tomorrow for the movie, and trust me, that’s why I half-jokingly say to journalists, ‘You know as much as me,’” Kavanagh said. “They all think, ‘Go on, give me the inside scoop.’ I’m seeing the same clips pop up that you guys do.

“Conor’s traveling so much and my head’s down so much with what’s happening day to day, I’m not really every day on to Conor, ‘Hey, what? I’ve seen an interview.’ He’ll come to me when the fight’s announced, but I will be asking him.”

Despite Conor McGregor and John Kavanagh’s insistence that they are both ready, UFC CEO Dana White has continued to place the blame on his cash cow, claiming that McGregor’s immense wealth is the root of his delayed absence.

McGregor disputed that claim during an appearance at the Road House premiere earlier this month, stating that his return is being “pushed back” by the UFC and that it is beginning to affect his motivation.

UFC star Sean Strickland admits to feeling ‘mentally unwell’ regularly: ‘I feel like I’m a danger to people’

UFC star Sean Strickland admits to feeling 'mentally unwell' every day: 'I feel like I'm a danger to people'Ex-UFC middleweight world champion Sean Strickland continues to struggle with his mental health. Over the last two years, ‘Tarzan’…

UFC star Sean Strickland admits to feeling 'mentally unwell' every day: 'I feel like I'm a danger to people'

Ex-UFC middleweight world champion Sean Strickland continues to struggle with his mental health.

Over the last two years, ‘Tarzan’ has grown a cult following among fight fans for his energetic hot takes that range from mildly humorous to downright vile. Still, those who tend to disagree with his more extreme views tend to appreciate the fact that he’s essentially an open book — willing to say whatever is on his mind and far from shy when it comes to discussing his troubled youth.

Sean Strickland

But behind all of the homophobic and politically charged posts is a UFC star who is clearly struggling with his own mental health on a daily basis.

Sean Strickland

Recently, Strickland took to Instagram where he admitted to feeling “mentally unwell” despite amassing fame, fortune, and the highest level of success when it comes to punching other people in the face for a living.

“I’m always fighting the demons, sometimes I win, sometimes I lose,” Strickland wrote in the original video’s caption. “I lost last week. Anyways I understand a lot of my fans are very similar to me.. Just wanted to share this and remind you you’re not alone ?? and… Don’t be a P lol!”

Sean Strickland feels like he is ‘A danger to people’

“All week I’ve been f*cked up, dude,” Strickland said. “I’ve been on the Twitter saying crazy sh*t, just f*cking spiraling. I woke up and I told my girl that I feel like I’m a danger to people. I don’t feel like I should be out in the world. I have everything — I’m rich, famous, like I have everything I ever f*cking wanted and I’m still mentally unwell and I get in these mindsets where I want to burn everything down in the world.

“I want to have nothing so I can just f*cking lose it and take out everything on people. I think that you guys, in a weird way, are my family. I’ve shared some sh*t with you guys and you’ve shared some sh*t with me. I feel more connected with my fans than I think most people feel just because we’ve gone through a lot together and I have everything I want, but I still struggle.

“My memory is so short that when I get past the week I think, ‘Man, that was a really rough time in my life.’ But when I really think about it, this happens multiple times per month every month. And I don’t know why I’m telling you guys this. I’ve just been going through some sh*t. I’ll be fine. I’m gonna go train right now and try to hurt all my friends and all the demons will go away. I just want you guys to know that I have everything I want in the world and I still struggle. So whatever you guys are going through, I hope you feel better. I f*cking wish you all the best.”

Whether you love him, hate him, or find yourself somewhere in between, you can’t help, but appreciate Strickland’s willingness to put himself out there for the world to see.

If only we could get him to cut down on the gay bashing

Sean Strickland

‘I Am Not Able To Get A Job’

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Mariya Agapova is more than ready to fight again.
The 26-year-old Kazakhstan native last fought against Gillian Robertson in Sept. 2022. Unfortunately for Agapova, she suffered a second ro…


UFC 272 Weigh-in
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Mariya Agapova is more than ready to fight again.

The 26-year-old Kazakhstan native last fought against Gillian Robertson in Sept. 2022. Unfortunately for Agapova, she suffered a second round rear-naked choke loss (watch highlights) that made her 2-3 in her five-fight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) run thus far (10-4 overall).

Although Agapova missed all of 2023, it hasn’t been without a lack of trying to rebound as soon as possible. The women’s Flyweight prospect took to Instagram today (Mon., March 18, 2024) with a now-deleted post that called for action after her extended time away.


Instagram: @mma.mashka

“I have two more fights under my contract in the UFC,” Agapova said. “Because of the contract, I can’t fight in other places and promotions to make money. I also train two-three times a day, because of this, I am not able to get a job. Thank you very much to my friends, sponsors, and tattoo clients for their help. But I urgently need a contract for the fight. My documents have been in order for a month now, and it’s still not clear when I’ll sign the contract for the fight. Let’s make some noise. Write to the UFC that you miss my fights.

“When is the fight?” she concluded. “Don’t ask me that! Let’s ask the UFC [Matchmaker] Mick Maynard. WHEN WILL MY FIGHT BE HAPPENING???”

Agapova has been a prospect to watch within the women’s Flyweight division since her mixed martial arts (MMA) debut in 2015. “Demonslayer” rapidly put together a six-fight winning streak to start, which resulted in an opportunity against Tracy Cortez on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. Cortez held off her fellow prospect as she won a unanimous decision and a contract with the promotion.

After two stellar first round finishes in Invicta Fighting Championship, Agapova got the call-up to UFC where she dispatched of Hannah Cifers before she fell victim to the biggest upset in UFC history, according to the odds. Agapova was a -1400 favorite in her bout with the +940 underdog, Shana Dobson, who finished her with strikes in round two at UFC Vegas 7 in Aug. 2020 (watch highlights).

‘Motherf—ker’s A Fakeass B—ch. Chito Sucks. F—k Him’

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Sean O’Malley was not amused by Marlon “Chito” Vera’s recent allegations after their rematch at UFC 299 two weekends ago (March 9, 2024).
Vera, 31, came up short in his fir…


UFC 299: O’Malley v Vera 2
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Sean O’Malley was not amused by Marlon “Chito” Vera’s recent allegations after their rematch at UFC 299 two weekends ago (March 9, 2024).

Vera, 31, came up short in his first crack at UFC Bantamweight gold opposite his rainbow-haired rival, O’Malley. The champion, “Sugar,” managed to score redemption in the pair’s sequel match up as he outstruck his way to a five-round unanimous decision for his first successful title defense (watch highlights).

The rivalry hasn’t quite ended — in and out of the Octagon — after the fight as the series is now tied at 1-1. Vera has since raised a point of controversy when he questioned whether or not O’Malley greased his hair for the fight.

“Everybody seems to love this dude,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “Motherf—ker’s a fakeass b—ch. Chito sucks. F—k him. I know s—t that people don’t know that would change their minds on him, but I’m not gonna go out there and post it. The DM s—t was real. I was in his f—king head. I was his brain. I was thinking for him. People are, ‘Oh, he’s just a family man.’ F—k that guy, bro.

“Then he comes out saying I’m greasing my hair,” he continued. “Bro didn’t even get close enough to smell my hair let alone think I — what was greasing my hair gonna do?”

Bad blood has boiled since O’Malley and Vera were first scheduled for their clash in August 2020. Even after O’Malley (18-1, 1 no contest) suffered a first round technical knockout loss in the bout, he maintained he was still undefeated due to his foot injury caused by Vera’s leg kicks.

Ultimately, the aftermath of the O’Malley vs. Vera rematch has shown their issues with each other are nowhere near resolved.

“I’m just like, be the bigger man, you don’t need to ruin his f—king life, you already ruined his career. Just be the bigger man,” O’Malley said.