Midnight Mania! Cyborg vacates Invicta belt, McGregor vs Iron Fist

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight

Welcome to Midnight Mania! Tonight we’ve got women’s featherweight great Cris Cyborg announcing that she has vacated the Invicta featherweight belt, and calling out Germaine De Randamie; Conor McGregor facing off with (one version of) Iron Fist in a new commercial, highlights from regional mixed martial arts (MMA), an unconscious fighter choking a ref, knockouts, Invicta portraits,, and much more.

Insomnia

Cris Cyborg is not looking back. The pound-for-pound women’s featherweight queen has eschewed her Invicta title for a bigger prize: Germaine de Randamie’s shiny new UFC belt. She explains why in the video above, noting the strength of her own resume and saying the decision to vacate didn’t come easy. Transciption via MMAFighting.com:

“After her victory, GDR at 145 pounds, the UFC determined that she will be the No. 1 contender for my title belt,” Cyborg said. “I’m healthy now and I’m strong, and I really want to show my fans why I’m still 10 years undefeated at 145 pounds.

“July 29th, the UFC will be in south California, and I would like to fight in my backyard in America in Anaheim, California. So, Germaine,” Cyborg continued while polishing a golden UFC belt, “I hope your hand is healthy enough to accept my challenge.”

Cyborg would have fought for the inaugural UFC women’s featherweight belt, but tested positive for a banned substance. While she was later granted a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), that failed test meant that Holly Holm and Germaine De Randamie fought for the inaugural belt at UFC 208, with De Randamie coming out with the narrow win.

De Randamie claimed she needed hand surgery after winning the title, if a fight with Cyborg was in the offing. Certainly, De Randamie will need to be at her best to stave off the fearsome Cyborg. As Cris points out in the video, no one has come close to beating her for a decade. She is the most dominant force in women’s MMA in terms of fight disparity and skill set.

The date she proposes is for UFC 214 in Anaheim, California, an area Cyborg refers to as her backyard. It remains to be seen whether De Randamie will be up for the task by that date.

Bobs and Weaves

Conor McGregor vs. the Iron Fist? Or just a commercial with a dude who watches too much Netflix?

Nah, looks like he’s got an Iron Fist, alright. I didn’t know more than one person could plunge their hand into the heart of Kunlun’s mythical dragon. McGregor wisely reconsiders.

If you ever wondered what in the clear blue sky was coming out of Derrick Lewis’ mouth after his fights, this compilation is for you.

This was a little frightening to witness. Violent knockout, and a fighter who didn’t know what was happening at all, yet could get as far as choking a referee before being restrained and brought back to his senses.

This is scary stuff-> Ryse Brink KOs Joe Nehm in 10 seconds. When Nehm comes to he puts ref in a choke hold #KOP54 pic.twitter.com/dg60lgDPmN

— Mike Dyce (@mikedyce) March 24, 2017

Quick Hits

Slips, Rips and KO Clips

It’s not strictly true that there are no fights this weekend…

No fights this weekend

BUT – relive awesome KOs like this & others on @UFCFightPass to fill your appetite!
https://t.co/XY5kSsNuNi pic.twitter.com/Tq4VdonCZh

— UFC (@ufc) March 25, 2017

I mean, this definitely happened.

Watch out, Barboza #LFA7 pic.twitter.com/wDUZxW7XiO

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) March 25, 2017

And this is happening, ironically enough, on Fight Pass. (Check out this gallery. Some of the portraits are particularly dope)

Check out the #InvictaFC22 official portrait gallery by @allelbows here: https://t.co/8dfPekq9NI pic.twitter.com/BEUPeobKDZ

— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 24, 2017

Natasha Kingsbury, wife of former UFC fighter Kyle Kingsbury, was on hand for Invicta weigh-ins.

Yay It’s that time again! #invictafc22 weigh-ins are today{watch them at 6:30pm ET} on @UFCFightPass ~Tune in tomorrow to watch the fights! pic.twitter.com/Q5ufcoXQtv

— Natasha Kingsbury (@natashawicks) March 24, 2017

Glory 35 goes down Saturday on Fight Pass and ESPN3. These weigh-ins got particularly heated.

#GLORY39 Weigh in brawl pic.twitter.com/DU66mAFT5g

— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) March 24, 2017

There is history behind some of these kickboxing fights that make them particularly fun. Sittichai is a monster

Sittichai knocks Yassan Baitar out cold #GLORY39 pic.twitter.com/6WAtsUhu4s

— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) March 25, 2017

Sittichai Sitsongpeenong drops Andy Souwer #GLORY39 pic.twitter.com/qnAbABzDsv

— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) March 25, 2017

This rematch also looks to be entertaining

Doumbe vs. Kongolo is flying under the radar. The first two fights were great, this one will be even better. #GLORY39 pic.twitter.com/J96tWEJPD5

— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) March 25, 2017

@Bestrafer7 Doumbe’s lean back pic.twitter.com/YEsujarDmj

— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) March 25, 2017

@Bestrafer7 Despite getting knocked down in the first round, Doumbe stunned Kongolo briefly in the third round of the first fight pic.twitter.com/cf0EE0u0lJ

— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) March 25, 2017

@Bestrafer7 Neither guy will ever be short on gamesmanship inside the ring. pic.twitter.com/sqdvGXNEWb

— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) March 25, 2017

LFA 7 happened tonight, and it looks entertaining:

Don’t miss @klaymai in the main event TONIGHT at #LFA7! @LFAfighting pic.twitter.com/aw48CozzxZ

— AXS TV Fights (@AXSTVFights) March 24, 2017

The guy who tried the spinning kick above suffered this fate, a little later:

Clovis Hancock VS Nikolay Veretennikov #LFA7 WOW! pic.twitter.com/7ZdypLgGLj

— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) March 25, 2017

Great action shot of an airborne short choke locked in.

#LFA7 RESULTS: Gilbert Urbina (@GUrbinaMMA) def Noel Ligon via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – R1. @LFAFighting @AXSTVFights pic.twitter.com/9sIkcAhp6K

— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) March 25, 2017

LFA 7 – Itzel Esquivel submits (triangle – armbar ) Brandi Narvaez in 1R. Stomping on the hair helped.pic.twitter.com/I7ZlRUo7qt

— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) March 25, 2017

*Scratch track*

*frame freeze*

#LFA7 RESULTS: @Itzel_Esquivel_ def Brandi Narvaez via Submission (Triangle/Armbar) – R1. @LFAFighting @AXSTVFights #WMMA pic.twitter.com/uqcpfqCnwm

— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) March 25, 2017

“You may be wondering how I got here”

Itzel Esquivel vs Brandi Narvaez #LFA7 pic.twitter.com/80xdF340FN

— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) March 25, 2017

(that’s it. That’s how she got there)

ACB 55 also went down this weekend

SUBMISSION! “Wow that was slick!” High praise from @thefrankmir as Berkhamov submits Davlatmurodov via armbar #ACB55 https://t.co/ReHFBpXADZ

— ACB fighting league (@acb_league) March 24, 2017

There was more than one nice submission on the card.

#ACB55 – Yusuf Raisov submits Valdines Silva in 1R pic.twitter.com/M6ZD5aC83h

— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) March 24, 2017

Stay woke, Maniacs!

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight

Welcome to Midnight Mania! Tonight we’ve got women’s featherweight great Cris Cyborg announcing that she has vacated the Invicta featherweight belt, and calling out Germaine De Randamie; Conor McGregor facing off with (one version of) Iron Fist in a new commercial, highlights from regional mixed martial arts (MMA), an unconscious fighter choking a ref, knockouts, Invicta portraits,, and much more.

Insomnia

Cris Cyborg is not looking back. The pound-for-pound women’s featherweight queen has eschewed her Invicta title for a bigger prize: Germaine de Randamie’s shiny new UFC belt. She explains why in the video above, noting the strength of her own resume and saying the decision to vacate didn’t come easy. Transciption via MMAFighting.com:

“After her victory, GDR at 145 pounds, the UFC determined that she will be the No. 1 contender for my title belt,” Cyborg said. “I’m healthy now and I’m strong, and I really want to show my fans why I’m still 10 years undefeated at 145 pounds.

“July 29th, the UFC will be in south California, and I would like to fight in my backyard in America in Anaheim, California. So, Germaine,” Cyborg continued while polishing a golden UFC belt, “I hope your hand is healthy enough to accept my challenge.”

Cyborg would have fought for the inaugural UFC women’s featherweight belt, but tested positive for a banned substance. While she was later granted a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), that failed test meant that Holly Holm and Germaine De Randamie fought for the inaugural belt at UFC 208, with De Randamie coming out with the narrow win.

De Randamie claimed she needed hand surgery after winning the title, if a fight with Cyborg was in the offing. Certainly, De Randamie will need to be at her best to stave off the fearsome Cyborg. As Cris points out in the video, no one has come close to beating her for a decade. She is the most dominant force in women’s MMA in terms of fight disparity and skill set.

The date she proposes is for UFC 214 in Anaheim, California, an area Cyborg refers to as her backyard. It remains to be seen whether De Randamie will be up for the task by that date.

Bobs and Weaves

Conor McGregor vs. the Iron Fist? Or just a commercial with a dude who watches too much Netflix?

Nah, looks like he’s got an Iron Fist, alright. I didn’t know more than one person could plunge their hand into the heart of Kunlun’s mythical dragon. McGregor wisely reconsiders.

If you ever wondered what in the clear blue sky was coming out of Derrick Lewis’ mouth after his fights, this compilation is for you.

This was a little frightening to witness. Violent knockout, and a fighter who didn’t know what was happening at all, yet could get as far as choking a referee before being restrained and brought back to his senses.

Quick Hits

Slips, Rips and KO Clips

It’s not strictly true that there are no fights this weekend…

I mean, this definitely happened.

And this is happening, ironically enough, on Fight Pass. (Check out this gallery. Some of the portraits are particularly dope)

Natasha Kingsbury, wife of former UFC fighter Kyle Kingsbury, was on hand for Invicta weigh-ins.

Glory 35 goes down Saturday on Fight Pass and ESPN3. These weigh-ins got particularly heated.

There is history behind some of these kickboxing fights that make them particularly fun. Sittichai is a monster

This rematch also looks to be entertaining

LFA 7 happened tonight, and it looks entertaining:

The guy who tried the spinning kick above suffered this fate, a little later:

Great action shot of an airborne short choke locked in.

*Scratch track*

*frame freeze*

“You may be wondering how I got here”

(that’s it. That’s how she got there)

ACB 55 also went down this weekend

There was more than one nice submission on the card.

Stay woke, Maniacs!