Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Dana White confirmed tonight that Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson will fight for the interim lightweight title, probably at UFC 216. The current reigning Lightweight champion, Conor McGregor, is off on a crusade to the Holy Grail of combat sports, boxing Floyd Mayweather for a hundred million dollar payday.
Previously, the UFC had booked “El Cucuy”, Tony Ferguson, against Khabib Nurmagomedov for UFC 209. That fight fell through at the eleventh hour when Nurmagomedov’s failure to cut weight successfully left him hospitalized. When asked what happened to Khabib this time around, Dana White said Khabib was not ready, having recently undergone surgery. Instead, the brash young star Kevin Lee, riding a five-fight win streak, the latest a first-round submission win over Michael Chiesa, gets the nod.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 16, 2017
The announcement comes as UFC 216, scheduled for October 7th, is in dire need of a main event. Dana, however, didn’t sound completely certain that is when the fight will occur. He did confirm, however, that it was definitely happening.
The winner faces a murderer’s row of options. McGregor is the most likely opponent upon his return, if he doesn’t decide to box Paul Malignaggi first. Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov lurks somewhere in the Caucasus mountains, ready to swoop into a championship fight of his own. Justin Gaethje is currently booked in a dream matchup with Eddie Alvarez; a win could net “the Highlight” a title shot as well.
Insomnia
While on the topic of Tony Ferguson, and after Artem Lobov got himself in the headlines for saying something really stupid, I found this incredibly funny
Tony Ferguson and Artem Lobov display the effectiveness of the forward roll pic.twitter.com/yvczQDxxEw
— Rob Brown (@RobBrownMMA) August 13, 2017
In case you forgot fighting in a cage has real health implications, an MMA fighter died after a bout this past weekend.
WCVB Boston: #MMA fighter dies after being knocked out in weekend bout. https://t.co/jK7pNXN7dR
— Sydnie Jones (@syd1138) August 15, 2017
Money is coming in on Conor McGregor- a reminder that the odds for this fight do not reflect the likelihood of Mayweather winning, giving a bet on Floyd a lot more value than it would normally have.
.@MGMRaceSports on Sunday took a $75,000 bet on Conor McGregor to beat Floyd Mayweather at +400.
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) August 15, 2017
It’s always entertaining to watch someone with an incredibly high level of skill practice their craft. But the real question of skill is: can he swing his arms like they are made of rubber? I doubt it.
19 year old Goldenboy prospect Ryan Garcia 10-0(9 KOs) looking sharp! ?? pic.twitter.com/kMjIdlQiyI
— BoxingTipster (@AgainstTRopes) August 15, 2017
David Haye takes rubber arms to the next level
Everyone in the gym was doing their best Conor McGregor impression today, I think I won. Let’s hope his fight v Mayweather is entertaining pic.twitter.com/1uvFrYaviL
— David Haye (@mrdavidhaye) August 15, 2017
Even local Houston boxer Mike Jackson (of CM Punk fame, and the guy who gave me my first platform writing about MMA) got in the action
Getting my day started with a little #McGregorChallenge, #flowy… Get tix to my Aug 25 #boxing match at https://t.co/dJqnHmTZHY. pic.twitter.com/sVgt5w5otD
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) August 15, 2017
While we are on professional boxers sparring high-level MMA fighters, here is Jose Aldo looking plenty technical in some work with Olympian Lindolfo Delgado.
Check out this footage of Jose Aldo sparring Olympian Lindolfo Delgado: https://t.co/m4jKthF5lu. Between this and Mac-Paulie sparring…
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) August 15, 2017
Mayweather-McGregor discussion online:
Nice hype video
Something new on McGregor as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.
Conor McGregor – Untouchable
Enjoy! https://t.co/rE7BvavVKv
— Az. (@AzeemA_) August 15, 2017
Aljo Sterling talks a matchup with Jimmie Rivera:
I asked @FunkMaster_UFC what would happen if he and Jimmie Rivera met in the octagon. I can’t wait to share the full interview! #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/FaJKnVhQFZ
— Jake Nichols (@JakeNicholsMMA) August 9, 2017
I refuse to believe this machine could possibly capture the unearthly power of John Lineker
Strong ??#UFC pic.twitter.com/IQpPEzNg9T
— John Lineker (@johnlineker) August 15, 2017
The combat sports happening this week in the absence of the UFC near-weekly events
Live Combat Sport Schedule: 8/15 – 8/20https://t.co/QeAJheCd7M pic.twitter.com/EeKy15VY9N
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) August 14, 2017
Slips, Rips, Slick Clips
Luis Nery shocks Shinsuke Yamanaka by fourth round TKO in Japan #boxing pic.twitter.com/LHz9Rgbj1Y
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) August 15, 2017
I missed this
Chris “Huggy Bear” Barnett #ROADFC041 pic.twitter.com/f5GryRDnKh
— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) August 12, 2017
For some reason I enjoy long pants kickboxing
I don’t know guys.. it looks like a push down to me. pic.twitter.com/VmEJEaAoWH
— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) August 12, 2017
A look at some of the hardest punchers in boxing history, and a case for giving Julian Jackson that title
Quick Hits
- The Tuesday Night Contender Series results
- Georges St. Pierre has always been an unusually honest fighter. He said he’s not scared of Tyron Woodley, specifically- he is scared of all his opponents
- Pettis vs. Poirier is a cracking fight
- Daniel Cormier is thinking of returning to Heavyweight
Stay woke, Maniacs! Follow me on Twitter @Vorpality