Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight …
You stoked, Maniacs? You excited? UFC 211 is almost upon us, and I, for one, am PUMPED UP! The fight card reads as a love letter to fight fans, legitimate best-of-the-best in each division in fun, competitive matchups. I don’t have recap duty on pay-per-views, so I’m free to break open a beer and watch this like a fan. I cannot wait.
Anyway, welcome to Midnight Mania! Tonight we’ve got Daniel Cormier going after Jon Jones, while Jones keeps being a huge dick, which may be a result of all the Cialis he takes, and oh yeah, that one time he beat Cormier’s ass after a weekend of cocaine. We’ve also got a lot more, because today was a happenin’ day in the fight world.
Blood Feud
The HATE is real. @dc_mma just went after @JonnyBones backstage. #UFC214 is gonna be . via @MikeMav22 on #PROcast pic.twitter.com/GWrhLnPPAX
— FOX Sports: PROcast (@PROcast) May 12, 2017
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier never could get along. The most recent incident is just another in a long, long string of incidents that go back to before their first bout, when their staredown devolved into a wild brawl. This latest verbal tirade and near-scuffle before the Summer Kickoff press conference was seemingly the result of something Jon Jones said about Daniel Cormier’s kids. This is Jones’ version of what he told DC:
What will your answer be when your kids ask how were you the toughest man in the world without beating Jon Jones?
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 13, 2017
Cormier took exception to that remark, as can be seen in the video above, taken by UFC lightweight Michael Chiesa, who had his own altercation with Kevin Lee later in the press conference.
DC: “Don’t mention my kids!”
Jones: “Shut up”
DC: “I don’t know who you think you’re playing with. Mention my children again!
Jones: “I’m going to when the curtain comes up!”
Of course, the two took to Twitter afterwards to continue the spat, as they do, exchanging several notable jabs.
“Percocet , molly , Percocet, Mask off f**k it mask off ” Jon took the mask off today. Finally admitted it.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 13, 2017
Dude freaked out and said don’t ever mention my kids and threw a water bottle at me like a bitch. Was held back by one 60 year old man
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 13, 2017
Lol apparently. Daniel has mentioned my family many times. And it wasn’t like I was insulting his children. https://t.co/Kxl011KUiC
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 13, 2017
Not true in regards to ur family I have been respectful. https://t.co/UbFKb8trqv
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 13, 2017
Yea lol I don’t really care, you’re my bitch https://t.co/CRZCmYH5Zx
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 13, 2017
????????????July 29th https://t.co/8XsXKYG6it
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 13, 2017
Hopefully we do get to see these two actually throw down on July 29th at UFC 214. Cormier’s injuries and Jones’ drug problems and run-ins with the law have cost us several chances at a rematch.
Insomnia
Kevin Lee and Michael Chiesa got into it, and Kevin Lee actually punched Chiesa in the face at today’s press conference:
Things got physical and a punch was thrown between Kevin Lee and Michael Chiesa at the #UFCSummerKickoff presser (@allelbows) pic.twitter.com/pTvCIeKvrT
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) May 12, 2017
Here’s video of the full exchange:
Things got heated between Michael Chiesa and Kevin Lee at UFC Summer Kickoff Press Conference. Check it out: pic.twitter.com/z3MmyG9Rs1
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) May 12, 2017
Chiesa reacts below. He says Lee can’t punch his way out of a paper bag:
Punches were thrown between @MikeMav22 and Kevin Lee at a UFC presser on Friday.
Chiesa took a moment to respond after the scuffle. pic.twitter.com/CniZcGXjJt
— FOX Sports: PROcast (@PROcast) May 13, 2017
Kevin Lee noticed this on his Wikipedia page:
Yoooo somebody changed my Wikipedia pic.twitter.com/X5kQKqGtXj
— Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) May 12, 2017
Cody Garbrandt tweeted out that he’s having back issues, and told TJ Dillashaw that his time will come. That left doubts in everyone’s minds as to whether the fight was cancelled. Dana White, however, insists that his fight with Dillashaw is still a go, and is very confident the specialists in Germany will be able to fix Garbrandt’s back. And if Garbrandt CAN’T fight? Dillashaw apparently told Dana White he wants to stop Mighty Mouse from breaking the title defense record. That, of course, would mean Dillashaw dropping to flyweight, something he is very confident he can do.
Cody Garbrandt? vs TJ Dillashaw? at #UFC213 is still happening according to Dana White. But what would happen if it’s called off? pic.twitter.com/3rtMeD9u8y
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 13, 2017
This does highlight a long-standing trend with what is traditionally one of the most-hyped fight weeks of the year for the UFC.
If Garbrandt-Dillashaw is off it would be the 7th year in a row UFC’s big “International Fight Week” event lost its headliner or co-main.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) May 12, 2017
Let’s not forget this is next Friday. Rory Macdonald vs. Paul Daley is one of the best fights to be had outside the UFC:
1 week from today, @rory_macdonald returns to face #PaulDaley and the winner gets a Welterweight Title shot! #Bellator179 pic.twitter.com/Ljp12qdDtr
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) May 12, 2017
Rose Namajunas has that athleticism.
VIDEO: @rosenamajunas hits a gorgeous flying armbar on @HypeOrDie. Barry’s retaliatory attempt, well, left a bit to be desired… (@ekc) pic.twitter.com/CLSeF5ImKc
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) May 12, 2017
Unlikely trio in Dallas:
Yesterday at the new and ridiculous @dallascowboys training facility in frisco TX with @Thebeast_ufc @rosenamajunas @ufc pic.twitter.com/mxyNDqu9rr
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) May 12, 2017
Congratulations to Alexander Gustafsson and his girlfriend on their baby girl!
Welcome my princess Ava. Amazingly proud of mom Moa and her strength during the delivery. Happiest man alive?? pic.twitter.com/uGD9yQ1ukU
— Alexander Gustafsson (@AlexTheMauler) May 12, 2017
A lot of fights were officially announced today, including Gaethje-Johnson, Gunnar Nelson-Santiago Ponzinibbio, Shevcehnko-Nunes, DC-Jones, Gastelum-Weidman, Korean Zombie-Ricardo Lamas, and this gem, Calderwood-Calvillo:
What a fight! @DRkneevil vs. @cyn_calvillo is on for #UFCGlasgow!!
https://t.co/EQJUmWjhd8 pic.twitter.com/WVrDFKpJTI
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 12, 2017
Slips, Rips, and KO Clips
Snap and Tap!
Werlleson Galinho submits Rubenilton Boaes at Shooto Brazil 72. OH DEAR GOD THAT SOUND pic.twitter.com/uzGzkRn5M1
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 13, 2017
That one hurt.
Perfect knee to the body – Junior Luiz KO’s Pedro Wilson in 1R (Shooto) pic.twitter.com/jiv5fUdHtV
— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) May 13, 2017
Rock ‘em sock ‘em!
If you’re not watching this fight, you’re definitely missing out… #CES44 @CESMMA @JonManleyMMA pic.twitter.com/M1YYgctFTw
— AXS TV Fights (@AXSTVFights) May 13, 2017
Deaded him.
Micha? “Lord” Oleksiejczuk KO’s Ricardo Nosiglia in 1R What a comeback ! HL
UFC for Micha? now ? pic.twitter.com/Ea9GgWaqwT— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) May 12, 2017
There is something scary about knocking someone out from their guard. Stipe did it to Overeem, and this guy did it to his foe:
Brutal GNP KO by Tim Barnett #BAMMA29 pic.twitter.com/NeMaZUJDrz
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 12, 2017
Goodreads, Home of the Good Reads
- Chuck Mindenhall wonders if Joanna and Stipe can get your attention tomorrow evening
- A Central Asian fighter is threatened with deportation after questioning the referee
- Patrick Wyman previews UFC 211 at Deadspin
- American Top Team’s strength trainer, Phil Daru, explains why fighters should stop jogging
Podcasts and Video
UFC 211: 3 things to watch for. Subscribe to MMAMania’s Youtube channel
Tommy Toehold reacts to the Bisping-GSP news.
The start of a new podcast.
You weren’t supposed to hear this. This is raw, uncut car audio. This is a test of the (Not So) Secret Smoke Show.https://t.co/wfCz9Ph2e7
— Justin Golightly (@SecretMovesMMA) May 12, 2017
Watch the open workouts for UFC 211
Don’t forget to get back here for the fights!
Stay woke, Maniacs! Oh, and follow me on Twitter @Vorpality. I’m mostly annoying but once in awhile I’ll tweet something decent.