Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Yesterday, disgraced former Bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw took some pot shots from the sidelines, complaining that the weight class is all messed up and led by an interim champion undeserving of the title. Despite the fact that he’s returning from a two-year USADA suspension and knockout loss, Dillashaw also demanded an instant title shot.
The rest of the Bantamweight division doesn’t seem to agree with his proposals. For one, current champion Petr Yan simply told him no.
Wait in line, cheater https://t.co/wskArkbG05
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) December 3, 2020
The current top contender, Aljamain Sterling, took it a step further. “Funkmaster” didn’t just label Dillashaw a cheater, but he speculated on whether or not Dillashaw would return deflated or had found a new way to game the system.
When you cheat your entire .@UFC career, and comfortably sit out for 2 years, with MILLIONS you won from cheating, I think two things!
.@TJDillashaw is:
1) In need of another paycheck and ready to take a sauce-less asskicking for it.
2) He discovered another work around in 2yrs ???— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 3, 2020
Is MMA the only sport where cheaters get rewarded, after time served?? Seriously wondering about this. Imagine going to jail for a assaulting someone, doing x years, coming out, and the warden hooks you up with a chance to make half a milly+ as soon as you walk out. Wow.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 3, 2020
Sterling also refuted Dillashaw’s attempt to leap back with an immediate title shot. Instead, he suggests Dillashaw square off with Cory Sandhagen, one of the division’s best strikers and a former training partner of “The Viper.” It’s worth-mentioning that Sandhagen himself has called for the match up as well.
I’m not saying anyone is scared but I think . @TJDillashaw is looking to avoid having to fight someone he had trouble with in training
*Enter The Sandman* .@cors_life— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 3, 2020
Dillashaw is once again eligible to compete on January 18, 2021. Who should the former champion face in his return bout?
Insomnia
Get ready for every MMA fighter to try to box a YouTuber in pursuit of the highest salary of their careers. Time to engage in some Twitter beefs!
Alexandre Pantoja is out of the Dec. 19 UFC card, sources told me. He was scheduled to welcome former RIZIN champ Manel Kape to the octagon. Story coming to @MMAFighting.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) December 3, 2020
Francis Ngannou with a bit of inspiration and motivation:
Those have been my greatest assets which led me from where i was 8 years ago to where I’m today. Never let anyone take your dreams and confidence from you or tell you you can’t make it or you couldn’t make it without them. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/cSeYMAQS3A
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) December 3, 2020
Presented without comment:
Fighters that prove age doesn’t matter: pic.twitter.com/4MlG0E6iaV
— Stanky (@stankymma) December 3, 2020
Top-tier Muay Thai is heading to UFC Fight Pass!
I hope everyone enjoys this highlight of a bunch of professional athletes unable to catch a football.
I like everything about this MMA to jiu-jitsu crossover: it’s benefiting longtime veterans of the sport, both are excellent grapplers, and it should actually be fun to watch.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
On this week’s edition of UFC Fighters Who Fought Back On The Regional Scene And Are Now Separated By Multiple Weight Classes: apparently Davi Ramos (Lightweight) fought Jose Quinonez (Bantamweight)?
Jose Quinonez got dropped and finished by Davi Ramos early R1 at EFA – Mexico vs. Brazil (2013) #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/dWOhUp0DMm
— LORD HONKY HUMUNGUS (@Mr_Honky) September 18, 2019
Forehead met jaw met canvas:
Cody Durden’s SLAM finish of Dylan Schulte early in R1 at SCL – Army vs Marines 10 (2019) #UFCVegas16 pic.twitter.com/I4MmHJBz9e
— LORD HONKY HUMUNGUS (@Mr_Honky) December 3, 2020
These two trade hooks, but one man swings far harder.
Mike Davidson KO’s Levy Ronieri in R1. Clean left hook.#ShootoBrasil105 #oty pic.twitter.com/Rf6pqSn6Au
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 3, 2020
Random Land
The term “ice tsunami” sounds absolutely apocalyptical.
Midnight Music: A pretty huge number of bands and artists have covered “Land of 1000 Dances” and its famous na na na na na hook — here’s one of ‘em!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.