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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Both Sean O’Malley and Henry Cejudo train in Phoenix, Arizona, but the two are neither friends nor team mates. In fact, the two have traded verbal blows fairly often over the years, but the trash talk has yet to result in an actual fight.
Only an extremely abbreviated podcast appearance.
It’s fight week for “Suga,” who squares off versus Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306 this weekend (Sat., Sept. 14, 2024) from the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. Though his attention should probably be fully focused on “The Machine,” O’Malley spared a moment of his media time to tell Daniel Cormier his litany of problems with Cejudo.
Sean O’Malley calls Henry Cejudo “a f#cking weasel” and explains his hatred for Cejudo:
“It’s his attitude and he rubs a lot of people wrong. He’s got this big ego and it’s like ‘oh I’m the man of fighting and I’m the pound for pound and teaching Jon Jones how to fight’.… pic.twitter.com/5eUT4XHl9M
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 12, 2024
“Henry, he’s gonna be at home streaming this fight illegally because he can’t afford it on his couch, kicking his feet up,” O’Malley told Cormier. “Henry is just a little f—king weasel, and I don’t like that guy … It’s his attitude. He rubs a lot of people wrong. He got this big ego like I’m the man of fighting, and I’m pound-for-pound and teaching Jon Jones how to fight.
“Like bro, you’re not that f—king good. Yeah, you won a couple fights but you’re not that f—king good. Talking about going down to 25 because I’m running the division! He’s like, ‘Oh, I wanna fight Sean’ — you don’t wanna fight me. He doesn’t wanna fight me. I’m a nightmare for him. He’s like, ‘Oh I’ll take you down, hold you down.’ Cool, I’ll get up and kill you. You suck, Henry sucks.”
The tricky issue with the “King of Cringe” is that Cejudo is extremely accomplished. An Olympic gold medal and two UFC titles is nothing to scoff at. That said, Cejudo has managed to put his foot into his mouth on more than one occasion outside of the cage as a coach and analyst, and his best years may be behind him after an ill-advised retirement cost him two years of his prime.
Either way, a match up between the two isn’t likely unless “Suga” coughs up his title on Saturday night. Even then, Cejudo recently announced his intention to return to Flyweight, which could also throw a wrench in those theoretical plans.
Maybe an Arizona dojo storm is in order? The beef doesn’t seem likely to end otherwise.
Insomnia
Michael Chandler is sitting in the corner of a dark room, whispering see you at the top to himself repeatedly.
Conor McGregor is at Chickie’s & Pete’s tonight taking shots and doing Eagles chants with fans.
: drewmac_the_barber on Instagram pic.twitter.com/djbsRFbhjd
— On Pattison (@OnPattison) September 13, 2024
This looks like the least pleasant combat sports experience yet.
These girls go hard… Would you take a kick from them?
LowKickChampionship/IG pic.twitter.com/QfX3G0am9u
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 11, 2024
These are the dance moves of a man thrilled to leave his construction career behind.
Merab getting told that he’s now a UFC fighter is one of my favourite moments ever pic.twitter.com/oN1g30l8RK
— ??????????? (@TheArtOfWar6) September 11, 2024
Foot sweeps are always awesome, but gigantic foot sweeps are extra cool.
Really great from Chiyoshoma to chain the overarm belt throw (uwatenage) to the rear foot sweep (susoharai) pic.twitter.com/3F5twZHeXi
— Miguel Class (@MigClass) September 12, 2024
Sean O’Malley just earned himself a spot on Dana White’s s—t list.
Suga Sean tells Adin Ross’s chat to stream his upcoming fight, UFC 306 illegally and not buy the pay-per-view pic.twitter.com/Jn5GfmCUgA
— AdinUpdate (@AdinUpdate) September 12, 2024
Did you know Merab and “Suga” debuted one week apart? I did not.
Sean O’Malley got into the UFC from DWCS
Merab Dvalishvili got into the UFC from DWLFAFO’Malley debuted in the UFC on Dec 1, 2017.
Merab debuted in the UFC on Dec 9, 2017.O’Malley has fought 12 times in the UFC.
Merab has fought 12 time in the UFC.O’Malley is 10-1 1NC with…
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 12, 2024
Are these odds an indication of Light Heavyweight being terrible, Anthony Smith being terrible, or Welterweight being great?
Roman Dolidze was a betting favorite against a top 10 light heavyweight in his last fight and won
He is now a betting underdog against an unranked welterweight pic.twitter.com/FyOPDfxTu0
— Show Me the Money Podcast (@showmethepod) September 12, 2024
Diego Lopes’ hands look so much sharper nowadays, and Joanderson Brito doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
The Diego Lopes & Joanderson Brito DWCS matchup is a terrific rewatch. Would love to see them run it back in the UFC one day #NocheUFC pic.twitter.com/2FdyDSY3pJ
— Maestro MMA (@mmamaestro_) September 12, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Impressive turnaround after a nasty spinning kick.
Lindo TKO de Jhonatan Cordeiro! Primero se comio una patada giratoria y despues le mando el bucal a la tribuna de un zurdazo #MetanoiaFC pic.twitter.com/2JvQnLuGSB
— Barrele la pierna (@Barrelelapierna) September 8, 2024
The technique, skill, and toughness of young strikers around the globe is continually mind-blowing.
3-0, 17-years-old, and he’s going to become one of the best action-fighters in the sport. https://t.co/t6kGZGNJh5 pic.twitter.com/KoRxy6Fle8
— Benjamin (@AJKFenjoyer) September 8, 2024
Pouya Rahmani is 32 years old with four first-round submission wins.
Another 1st round Pouya W. One of the best HW prospects in the world, without a doubt. I’ve been trying to give you heads up to get on the hype train nice n’ early pic.twitter.com/2dJLrPQxQk
— Fedor’s nephew (@FdrNphw) September 8, 2024
Random Land
Possibly the most important news I’ve ever included in this column.
THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE I STARTED HYPERVENTILATING pic.twitter.com/yBYcOp1U75
— teddy (@starrbelIy) September 9, 2024
Midnight Music: Indie rock, 2014
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.