MMA Debate: Should Nick Diaz Compete in UFC in 2020?

Maybe there’s some kind of life lesson buried inside this week’s surprise storyline that former UFC title challenger Nick Diaz wants to come back to the Octagon to exact …

Maybe there’s some kind of life lesson buried inside this week’s surprise storyline that former UFC title challenger Nick Diaz wants to come back to the Octagon to exact …

Midnight Mania! Masvidal Teases ‘Big Plans’ With Telemundo

Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight! Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Can we thank Spanish-language television network Telemundo for Jorge Masvidal’s incredible 2019…

UFC 244 Masvidal v Diaz

Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images

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

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Can we thank Spanish-language television network Telemundo for Jorge Masvidal’s incredible 2019 run?

Prior to his return to combat opposite Darren Till that started his current win streak, Masvidal took a sabbatical from the sport to compete on Exatlon, a competition hosted on Telemundo. When he returned, Masvidal was in noticeably better shape and more motivated than ever, and he credited the isolation of the show with helping his mental state.

After his BMF title win, Masvidal returned to Telemundo headquarters, and “Gamebred” hints that there’s more in store.

After his trio of stoppage wins and successful headline against Nate Diaz, it’s pretty clear that Masvidal has become a huge star in his own right. Assuming he doesn’t disappear to the Dominican Republic for another three months, who should Masvidal face next?

Insomnia

I don’t have any knowledge about the benefits of underwater training, but this definitely looks awesome!

Great quote from the legendarily humble Demian Maia. The man is an inspiration!

Pretty adorable.

Stipe Miocic vs. Tyson Fury keeps inching towards a more real possibility. Fight fans, please just re-watch McGregor-Mayweather if you want to see an MMA fighter boxed up.

Liam Harrison demonstrates a slick body shot setup.

Some fan art!

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???????Thank you, my friend@zen _what _do _u _know

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Slips, rips, and KO clips

I genuinely believe that Charles Oliveira is finally ready to make a run towards the top of the division. His recent performances have been fantastic.

Hooking the leg and achieving the perfect angle equals an impromptu nap.

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And another successful admit into the #valhallaclub

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One of the more clean elbow knockouts I’ve seen in recent memory.

Random Land

Tiger Vs. Bear

Midnight Music: If you’re a fan of mid-70s Stevie Wonder — and you absolutely should be! — listen to the album Syreeta. Produced by Wonder and his then-wife Syreeta Wright, it’s a really wonderful collection of 70s soul.

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

Bellator 234 predictions, preview for ‘Kharitonov vs Vassell’

Bellator 234 “Kharitonov vs. Vassell” comes to Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 14, 2019 and airs via tape delay November 15. Heavyweights duel in the night’s top fight as one seeks to extend his legend while the other…

Bellator 234 “Kharitonov vs. Vassell” comes to Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 14, 2019 and airs via tape delay November 15. Heavyweights duel in the night’s top fight as one seeks to extend his legend while the other hopes to derail a slow decline.

Let’s break it down:

265 lbs.: Sergei Kharitonov (30-7, 2 NC) vs. Linton Vassell (19-8, 1 NC)

“Paratrooper” Sergei Kharitonov may as well be dropping in by air on his unsuspecting opponents at this point. He’s gone unbeaten in his last eight fights and just finished Matt Mitrione in a main event rematch. Aging seems to effect every weight class in MMA other than Heavyweight, where as long as you’ve got decent stand-up and effective takedown defense you can stay relevant into your mid-40’s. Therefore Kharitonov may just be starting his run toward a world title at 39 years old. So long as he keeps winning a title shot is not only eventual but inevitable.

The direction Linton Vassell is heading in is not a third title shot — it’s a pink slip. “The Swarm” tried to stop a two fight slide by moving up from 205 lbs. and lost a third fight in a row instead. I was a fan of Vassell going up to Heavyweight and I still am — at 6’4” with an 82” wingspan he’s highly suited to the weight class. Not having to cut weight should have made him stronger and more dangerous, but unfortunately it didn’t give him more cardio. He’s had plenty of time to correct this mistake since March, and yet all of his momentum is going in the wrong direction while all of Kharitonov’s is going in the opposite. Newton’s First Law explains the outcome nicely.

Final prediction: Sergei Kharitonov wins by knockout in the second round

155 lbs.: Roger Huerta (24-11-1, 1 NC) vs. Sidney Outlaw (13-3)

Speaking of fighters who don’t realize that staying in motion is a deficit, the ever moving Roger “El Matador” Huerta lives for excitement and dies by its metaphorical sword. When you’re always coming forward you make it far too predictable what you’re going to do next, which is why Benson Henderson choked him out and Patricky Freire knocked him out. You might think Sidney Outlaw was brought in to help him turn things around, but Outlaw hasn’t lost a contest since facing Gregor Gillespie and earns 50% of his wins via submission. That doesn’t bode well for a man who seems to have a lot of energy and not much ring IQ.

Final prediction: Sidney Outlaw wins by armbar in round one

185 lbs.: Austin Vanderford (8-0) vs. Grachik Bozinyan (10-3)

After a successful transition to Middleweight, Austin Vanderford seems comfortable with staying at this weight going forward and probably will be until he faces someone the size of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson making a ridiculously dangerous weight cut. Since Vanderford stands 5’11” and his opponent Grachik Bozinyan stands 6’0”, this isn’t the time he rethinks his life choices. Bozinyan finishes 67% of his opponents by submission, but provided Vanderford avoids being swept after his trademark takedowns, his nasty ground and pound should prove to be Bozinyan’s downfall.

Final prediction: Austin Vanderford via third round technical knockout

170 lbs.: Haim Gozali (11-6) vs. Artur Pronin (16-3)

“Israel Batman” Haim Gozali is currently on a three fight win streak at 46 years old and remains one of the most popular figures in the sport in his native country to this day. He’s facing a man 15 years his junior who is on a seven fight win streak in Artur Pronin, but given Pronin specializes in the ground game (56% of his wins) the BJJ black belt undoubtedly feels he is invincible on home soil if that’s the game Pronin wants to play.

Final prediction: Haim Gozali wins by submission in round one

155 lbs.: Aviv Gozali (3-0) vs. Zaka Fatullazade (14-8)

On paper Haim’s son Aviv Gozali faces an even bigger challenge in the vastly more experienced Fatullazade, but look more closely and you’ll see he’s facing a man who was knocked out in under two minutes just two months ago. Aviv’s ground game is even better than his father’s because he’s young and fearless — he’s the type to pull guard to START a fight just to go for a quick submission.

Final prediction: Aviv Gozali wins by submission in round one

That’s a wrap!

MMAmania.com will deliver coverage of Bellator 234 tomorrow with a main card at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount Network and DAZN. To check out the latest Bellator MMA-related news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive news archive right here.