Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Just moments ago (Fri., Aug. 2, 2024), Dakota Ditcheva secured her spot in the finals of the Professional Fighter’s League (PFL) women’s Flyweight tournament. In her semi-finals match up versus Jena Bishop, Ditcheva overcame a small bit of adversity to score a violent first-round stoppage.
Early on, Ditcheva did well to control the range. She was forcing Bishop to swing wild from a far distance and sticking her with front kicks all the while. When Ditcheva got a little too aggressive with her clinch knees, however, she ended upon getting slammed to the floor by the more experienced grappler.
Ditcheva was stuck on bottom for a minute or two and took some shots returning to her feet, but she made her opponent pay for the grappling success. Ditcheva landed a nasty knee upstairs that floored Bishop, nearly resulting in a walk-off knockout. Instead, Bishop regained her footing and was sat down a second time by a right hand, prompting referee intervention.
Watch the knockout in the video player above!
“Dangerous” improves to 13-0 as a result of the first-round knockout win. Last year, Ditcheva scored three finishes to win the PFL European championship, setting herself up for this run in the main world championship tournament. The decorated kickboxer has gathered major hype in the process, but she’ll face a serious challenge in the finals match up.
Earlier tonight, divisional favorite Taila Santos scored a unanimous decision over Liz Carmouche to secure her own finals opportunity. Consequently, the formerly top-ranked UFC contender will square off with Ditcheva in November, and she surely plans to hand the English striker the first loss of her pro career.
If Ditcheva is victorious, however, PFL just might have a star on their hands.
Insomnia
Belal Muhammad and Kamaru Usman are beefing a bit, but “Nigerian Nightmare” needs to get back in the win column.
Your performance in the 3rd fight with him was slow and kinda weak https://t.co/CeczbD9UJH
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 2, 2024
lol I did what u couldn’t do.. I finished the job I’ll send you bullys blueprint pdf.. just enter your email and credit card information https://t.co/6aOwHdNnaU
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 2, 2024
Judo is such a fascinating look into momentum and body mechanics.
Good morning ??
Judo is magic pic.twitter.com/yuZqc6cWMr
— BJJotter (@JiujitsuOtter) August 2, 2024
I don’t think Russian TUF is as strict on the whole “Don’t fight outside of the cage” idea.
So much drama [HypeFighting/IG] pic.twitter.com/wLX9XBNfGX
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 1, 2024
I have heard similar stories and explanations about why Muhammad Mokaev is no longer on the UFC roster …
Steve Erceg claims that Muhammad Mokaev would treat the UFC staff poorly:
“The way [Mokaev] treats people… he just seems like he’s a little entitled and thinks he’s very important.”
@MiddleEasy #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/tyljxMv4wJ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 2, 2024
Kennedy Nzechukwu is going to try his hand at Heavyweight next time out.
Marcos Rogério de Lima will fight Kennedy Nzechukwu at #UFC308 on October 26th. (first rep. @pezao011) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/CgwBPNifel
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) August 2, 2024
Alex Pereira, man of many talents.
Alex Pereira is now doing tattoos for fans
is there a side quest that this man hasn’t completed yet
@AlexPereiraUFC pic.twitter.com/m1QymawZ3N
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) August 2, 2024
Muay Thai > Python
Slips, rips, and ONE Championship clips
Phantom punch? Super delayed reaction to the liver punch? I’m confused.
Xavi González gana a Win Sitjaenim por KO al iniciar el segundo asalto y se lleva su primer bono desde que compite en ONE #ONEFridayFights73 pic.twitter.com/yciuB7lYga
— Pelunaton (@pelunaton) August 2, 2024
No confusion here, this kick landed with the audible crack of a baseball bat launching a ball into the stands.
Petmai shuts down Sungprab with a sniper liver kick KO in the 2nd. That delayed reaction #ONEFridayFights73 pic.twitter.com/fMVEZjNvqK
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) August 2, 2024
Stepped down the middle through a kick for a crazy left hook KO:
Random Land
Perspective makes a difference.
Anyone else’s mind blown when you realise how far away the Olympics archery target is?!
#Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/SQmuwgUlVG— James Withers (@JamesRWithers) July 31, 2024
Midnight Music: New Jack White album!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.