Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Though he was incredibly dominant and set several records in the last time years, it is tough to argue that interest was beginning to wane in Jon Jones’ Light Heavyweight title reign. Of course, we cannot blame Jones for beating all the best contenders and moving on to Middleweights, but the general lack of compelling match ups seemed to affect his performances as well.
Fortunately, a Heavyweight move appears the perfect answer to both reinvigorating Jones and the fanbase. Since his transition in weight was announced, Jones has been carefully preparing, throwing more weight around than ever in an attempt to build muscle and remain strong against the biggest men on the roster.
However, almost all of his training clips have been in the weight room. It’s been some time since Jones has released footage of himself doing anything other than pressing iron or instructing others, but as he creeps towards a potential Summer return opposite either Stipe Miocic or Francis Ngannou, Jones has begun picking up his martial arts training.
Here’s the first look at Jones flowing through some power kicks with longtime trainer Mike Winkeljohn. Then, the video switches over to Jones hitting mitts with striking coach Brandon Gibson.
There’s still a lot of time before Jones steps into the Octagon, but his long-awaited Heavyweight debut will prove a huge moment for “Bones.”
Insomnia
Dustin Poirier on JRE coming soon!
Bantamweight beef and saltiness truly never ends.
This comment right here smells like alcohol and cigarettes. You still waking up from the nap I gave you ? Have fun on the prelims Dominique https://t.co/UNCiLuvN55
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 24, 2021
PFL is finalizing their roster, and 2021 seems set as their most exciting season yet.
The PFL have signed welterweights Gleison Tibau, Alexei Kunchenko and Jason Ponet, featherweights Chris Wade and Anthony Dizy, women’s lightweights Kaitlin Young and Taylor Guardado & light heavyweight Nick Roehrick to round out their roster for the upcoming season per a release.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) February 25, 2021
57 rounds of sparring over 10 days seems … a bit excessive.
The last 10 days I did 57 ROUNDS !!!! Of sparring !!! with my brother Tayfun Ozcan. We really pushed new levels. The Dutch style kickboxing – especially his level is something else. I’m exited to get back to work in 2 weeks inshAllah! @AliAbdelaziz00 watch out for him ?? pic.twitter.com/odPuC42mWg
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) February 25, 2021
Tony Ferguson is working with Freddie Roach, which seems like a smart move, but is it too late?
Great first day, Champ! @TonyFergusonXT @ufc @danawhite @WildCardBoxing1 pic.twitter.com/7mFAjKjJgd
— Freddie Roach (@FreddieRoach) February 25, 2021
Weili Zhang is dangerous from close quarters:
UFC Vegas 20’s co-main event is going to be absolute fire.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I have never seen a left hook break a man’s spine before.
Not quite as spectacular, but this is still a great left hook knockout!
A whole chain of front choke submissions eventually forces the tap.
Random Land
Satisfying.
Midnight Music: Nick Cave and longtime collaborator Warren Ellis released a new album today, titled Carnage. Though it’s not entirely separate from their electronic, synth-y trilogy that took up most of the 2010s, it is different enough to be noticeable.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.