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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
In the immediate aftermath of Dustin Poirier’s momentous knockout victory over Conor McGregor, there was a great deal of analysis regarding what went wrong for the Irishman. Some lamented McGregor’s boxing-oriented stance, some blamed his preparation, and finally, quite a few fan believed that McGregor was simply too nice in the lead up to the bout.
He certainly didn’t throw any dollies.
Safe to say, the relationship has soured between the two combatants, particularly in the aftermath of the whole McGregor-Poirier donation scandal. “Notorious” is once again ornery and combative, and he took to Twitter today to rally against some of Poirier’s comments in a recent ESPN interview.
McGregor didn’t appear to like Poirier’s accusation of insecurity, and he was quick to point out his own success in the clinch. Furthermore, McGregor was especially dismissive of Poirier’s previous claims as “best boxer” in the sport.
Quick take for you and your team pal – You’s got pucked around in the clinch!
Elbows, knees, shoulders, fists.
Looking outside the cage for advice. #strikerturnedwreslter #dustybitch https://t.co/LstFtSylOb— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 1, 2021
Best boxer, my ass!
Shooting ass, shelling ass bitch. https://t.co/LstFtSylOb— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 1, 2021
Additionally, Max Holloway — who really inserted himself into the “best boxer” discussions in his master class opposite Calvin Kattar, among other showcase performances — managed to get his two sense in as well. Don’t forget about “Blessed!”
Sup bro you rang?
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) July 1, 2021
While McGregor is open to an eventual Holloway rematch, first and foremost, we’ll have to see how an angry McGregor’s boxing stacks up vs. Poirier’s own pugilistic skills next week at UFC 264.
Insomnia
It seems like many (dare I say, a majority?) of fighters who peaked in the aughts are not doing so great, which is why it’s really nice to see Matt Hamill living well with a dope treehouse in his yard.
Welcome to the Hammer 5 star Treehouse. pic.twitter.com/zGBptwHHjt
— Matt Hamill (@HamillHammer) June 30, 2021
MMA is finally legal in France, but that doesn’t mean its without problems.
This card literally fall apart in a day.
How it started How it’s going pic.twitter.com/ic66saiFiI
— Al Zullino (@phre) June 30, 2021
Since I’ve started covering French MMA for Tapology, I’m receiving A LOT of complaints on French commission.
They have very strict rules about matchmaking. Remember that Biyong x Manhoef canceled scrap at Bellator France? It was because of the fights differential between those 2. https://t.co/83OGu5i5L6 pic.twitter.com/Ze2PF6BV99— Al Zullino (@phre) June 30, 2021
Dominick Cruz has a new disciple.
How is this clip real? How have I not seen it before?
TL asleep? Kamaru Usman and Stephen Thompson dance battle. pic.twitter.com/hFiGsSLlxC
— Chef Wonderboy ?? (@PersonsAcc) July 1, 2021
Ricky Simon vs. Sean O’Malley should have been booked, and the wrestler is coming with receipts!
https://t.co/uQEI23yoTE pic.twitter.com/7sU3tBd9qQ
— Ricky Simón (@RickySimonUFC) July 1, 2021
Bantamweight banger alert:
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is back to London and we got ourselves another treat as Nathaniel Wood locks horns with Jonathan Martinez on September 4, sources told me.
More: https://t.co/vzhAbMQsow
— Al Zullino (@phre) July 1, 2021
Landa Vannata demonstrating how just about everyone has bad moments (or entire days) in sparring:
Slips, rips, and KO clips
This is the most athletic maneuver I’ve ever seen in a sumo match.
Me spamming the middle splits stance in every match as Ganryu pic.twitter.com/oNuqjiuNN5
— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) July 1, 2021
I don’t know a damn thing about MMA Grand Prix 3, and maybe I’m way off base here, but the clips I’ve seen appear to imply squash-match-making is afoot.
Another quick knockout at MMA Grand Prix 3, this time Sofiane Bouafia (presumably related to Ilian Bouafia who won his pro debut in fight #1) knocks out Armênio Neto pic.twitter.com/L4OyUuoCp9
— Will (@ChillemDafoe) July 1, 2021
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 1, 2021
A bit of calf-slicing trickery:
Random Land
Not a new clip, but still one that deserves to be here.
Bear gets hit in the nuts while trying to scratch his back pic.twitter.com/rpGayNLEZU
— Animals World (@Smiling_Animal) June 29, 2021
Midnight Music: Father John Misty released the four-track EP of covers titled Anthem just about a year ago, and I still listen to it all the time.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.