Midnight Mania: American Top Team Rallies For Poirier, Slam ‘Clown’ Tsarukyan

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Arman Tsarukyan isn’t the most popular man at American Top Team (ATT) right now.

Last weekend (Sat., June 1, 2024), longtime ATT member Dustin Poirier challenged Islam Makhachev for the Lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302. The 35-year-old veteran dug deep and forced the champion into a dogfight that lasted five rounds, exceeding the expectations of most. Despite the great effort, Makhachev proved his greatness with a slick d’arce choke deep in the fight (watch highlights). Both men earned an additional $50k “Fight of the Night” bonus for their efforts.

Tsarukyan, unfortunately, wasn’t impressed by his ATT team mate. Admittedly, Tsarukyan isn’t full time at ATT, but he was unnecessarily harsh in his assessment of Poirier’s performance, describing him as “mentally broken” and accusing him of giving up in the fifth. A bit of a rude thing to say about an older team mate who shattered his nose, tore his ACL, and broke a rib while bloodying up the champion!

Predictably, other members of ATT didn’t appreciate Tsarukyan’s critique or choice of words. Former Tsarukyan foe Mateusz Gamrot — who worked extensively with Poirier to train his wrestling for this bout and cornered him — responded simply, “Arman is a b—ch!”

In addition, ATT boxing coach Dyah Davis slammed Tsarukyan online for being fake. In an Instagram comment replying to Tsarukyan’s comments, he wrote “This guy, fake love and respect in the gym but the moment he has an opportunity to take a shot, he goes for it. B—ch move, he a clown.”

Given Poirier’s highly respected stature in the ATT room — and the MMA world as a whole, for the record — I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a bridge burned. If Tsarukyan is next in line for a chance at Lightweight gold, his preparation probably won’t take place in Coconut Creek, Florida at American Top Team.

Insomnia

Speaking of, Poirier’s nose isn’t supposed to look like that …

Another sparring clip from top kickboxer Yuki Yoza:

Sean Strickland responds to Luke Rockhold’s callout! In Rockhold’s prime, I think he wipes the floor with Strickland, but those days are long gone …

Payton Talbott getting to skate with Tony Hawk is pretty rad!

Imagine if Dominick Reyes somehow returns in peak form this weekend.

Makhachev vs. Poirier really was an absolute dogfight.

Eddie Alvarez didn’t take kindly to Strickland’s recent criticism of bare knuckle boxing, and if anyone has been there and done that, it’s “The Underground King.”

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Hernandez did a nice job of angling off as he fired his overhand.

I agree with Bas, I like the vicious highlights and soft music.

No need for that extra shot in an amateur fight …

Random Land

Battle of apex predators.

Midnight Music: classic rock, 1970

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