Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every quarantined night!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
The dream is over.
As recently as yesterday, hope was (barely) alive. Khabib Nurmagomedov came out with a comment about finishing up his training and still being ready to fight if the details could be figured out for UFC 249, which is now just 11 days away. However, when a fake Ariel Helwani Twitter account baited a response from Dana White, revealing that Nurmagomedov would not be competing against Tony Ferguson … or at all.
Absolutely NOT true!!! The card is happening but @TeamKhabib is out. I will announce the entire card tomorrow.
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 6, 2020
The fake Ariel HelVani account tweeted, “#BREAKING: Dana White and Vladimir Putin have reached an agreement on travel arrangements for UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov to come to the United States. He will fight Tony Ferguson. It’s happening folks. #UFC249 will go on as scheduled April 18.”
Almost immediately, White replied to deny the news, “Absolutely NOT true!!! The card is happening but @TeamKhabib is out. I will announce the entire card tomorrow.”
Barring divine intervention, this appears to be the official and painful end to the weeks of drama regarding whether or not Tony vs. Khabib will happen. It is nice to finally know the outcome, even if it’s a disastrous one. Personally, I hope UFC takes Nurmagomedov’s suggestion to re-book the fight for August rather than force Ferguson to face another short-notice opponent or interim title fight. There are plenty of other fights champing at the bit to save the event and compete — Usman vs. Masvidal anyone? — but this fight is worth saving.
Sixth time’s the charm?
Insomnia
Jim Miller declares war on COVID-19.
Nick Newell responds to Francis Ngannou’s push up challenge … is his lack-of-arm situation an advantage in this battle?
@francis_ngannou https://t.co/6a4Kas67DF pic.twitter.com/if20To6Yqr
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) April 5, 2020
Nearly-nude Andrei Arlovski with a machete and war paint makes for a terrifying sight.
Speaking of naked pictures, I’ve seen TOO DAMN MANY while collecting content in the last 48 hours. I know everyone is bored, but MMA fighters need to calm down.
Jon Jones is practicing how to fire weapons while sober, which is seemingly a positive change from drunkenly keeping a pistol in the car.
For anyone extra bored, Michael Chiesa put out an excellent list of some of his favorite fights.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Wild exchanges and lunging kicks:
Rukiya Anpo vs. Hideaki Yamazaki. K-1’s 2018 Fight of the Year. pic.twitter.com/xHc8sbwFUz
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 4, 2020
Reminder: Frank Shamrock’s absence in the UFC Hall Of Fame is disgraceful. Dude is a legend!
Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni
Strikeforce/EliteXC co-promotion. June 2007
For the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight title pic.twitter.com/xToeezfL7b
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 4, 2020
“Krazy Horse” is likely the most dangerous fighter with a sub .500 record in MMA history.
KJ Noons vs. Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett – EliteXC: Destiny
Opening fight at EliteXC’s debut event on Showtime pic.twitter.com/nDLsVpg0ug
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 4, 2020
Random Land
Air Bud 5: Spikes Back.
This dog is elite
(via mathiasberntsen96/Instagram, kiarathevolleydog/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/Y5p64IYGGK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 4, 2020
Midnight Music: The only No. 1 hit in US history to repeat a word four times in its title.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.