McGregor OUT, Pereira Vs. Jiri IN For UFC 303

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

It’s been a wild couple weeks for fight fans.

After days and days of speculation and uncertain social media updates and general obscurity regarding the return of Conor McGregor, UFC CEO Dana White has finally cleared the air. He dropped a video offering a final update on the UFC 303 main event, and the news isn’t great: McGregor is officially out of his planned bout versus Michael Chandler.

Who can replace “The Notorious?”

Realistically, nobody, but UFC has pulled a rabbit from its hat, as White announced the 205-pound title rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka as the new main event match up. Pereira has captured two titles in recent years, becoming one of the sport’s biggest modern stars in the process. Prochazka is the former champion and has one of the most entertaining highlight reels in the history of the sport. Their first fight ended via controversial knockout (watch here), and “Poatan” retained his title. Now, the two will clash a second time on short-notice.

Sorry Magomed Ankalaev.

The new co-main event Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes was announced earlier today, but the other major update is that former champion Jamahal Hill is officially off the UFC 303 card as well. He was supposed to face rising knockout artist Carlos Ulberg, but instead, veteran contender Anthony Smith will return to action against “Black Jag.”

It may not be a McGregor main event, but that’s a killer trio of fights!

McGregor’s next move isn’t fully confirmed, but it’s widely expected and rumored that he’ll be rebooked versus Michael Chandler later in the summer or early fall. Expect more details to emerge in the coming days (or hours).

Insomnia

Michael Chandler’s eternal optimism was really being put to the test this week. Will he still see us at the top?!?

I try not to knock fighters for being self-confident — it’s essential to the career choice — but there is zero doubt in my mind that Dricus Du Plessis absolutely dog-walks Belal Muhammad.

A quick negotiating tip from Jake Paul — LEVERAGE!

Someone who is good at the economy please help him budget!

Moments like this make me proud to be an MMA fan.

Kayla Harrison might have a future in Judo.

Overcoming the size difference with style points:

Slips, rips, and KO clips

I have no technical insight here, so let’s keep my input simple: Ed Sheeran is bad.

Figueiredo’s shin clipped the temple in absolutely brutal fashion.

I always feel bad watching knockout losses this ugly on the amateur circuit. That’s one way to find out if you’re really about fighting life or not …

Random Land

Seems like an expensive way to get gored … I am impressed though.

Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1991

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