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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
As one of the most credentialed wrestlers to ever transition into MMA, Bo Nickal deserves his hype. He’s a hugely accomplished competitor, and he’s spent many years training with elite talent at American Top Team. It’s not a surprise that he’s finding success nor is it shocking that he’s a major favorite ahead of his UFC debut in December.
Nickal isn’t satisfied with being another blue chip prospect, however. He wants to standout immediately, become a star, and get on the fast track to a UFC title. Notably, Nickal has called to fight Khamzat Chimaev, the most recent mega prospect to climb the UFC ranks, and now maybe a Middleweight? Nickal has been warned against this track by some and encouraged by others, and now former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier has now offered his thoughts on the potential match up as well.
“Bo Nickal doesn’t allow for bumps in the road to really deter him or knock him off course,” Cormier said on the DC & RC podcast (via BJPenn.com). “He’s always heading down one path, and that’s to be the best. When you match them up in just wrestling, I don’t believe that Khamzat can compete with him in just wrestling. But, in mixed martial arts that makes it a little more difficult to implement a strong wrestling base.”
Cormier, an Olympic wrestler, knows well what it’s like to be the most accomplished wrestler in whatever division he competed in. As a result, he knows that wrestling credentials are no guarantee of winning the takedown battle in the cage, and he points to his bout with Jon Jones as an example.
Cormier continued, “Look, I struggled taking down Jon Jones even though I was a much more credentialed wrestler. There are so many factors that go into effectively wrestling someone inside the octagon. So, I get what Henry [Cejudo] is saying and I think in time that maybe true. Today, I still think Bo Nickal needs a little bit of work.”
Insomnia
Well, Daniel Rodriguez vs. Neil Magny didn’t last long. Who should replace “D-Rod?”
Daniel Rodriguez says he’s out of his #UFCVegas62 bout vs. Neil Magny due to an elbow infection. Story headed to @MMAjunkie.
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) October 6, 2022
The universe simply refuses to give “The Leech” public stage to look fly.
Rafael Fiziev one ups Urijah Faber’s fancy dummy.
How does everyone think Aspen Ladd will do in PFL? She certainly has to be favored against most of the roster.
Aljamain Sterling looks to be in incredible shape ahead of his title defense opposite TJ Dillashaw. “Funkmaster’s” size and strength at 135-pounds is no joke!
The Dagestani crew takes on table tennis!
Rhythm, stance shifts, and flow:
Conor McGregor did sock this seemingly hapless sparring partner in an interesting manner.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Alistair Overeem has awesome highlights in at least three decades, but his 2010 run was special.
Alistair Overeem’s incredible tournament run to become the K-1 Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion in 2010!
He hopes to recapture some of that magic when he returns to the Kickboxing ring for the first time in 12 years and takes on Badr Hari, this Saturday.#COLLISION4 | Oct. 8 pic.twitter.com/f758HPLNPp
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) October 6, 2022
Love or hate what it’s doing to UFC cards, “Contender Series” definitely brings the highlights!
Man hit the cage hard …
Vince Bembe KO1 Ashley Calvert (0:40) #EFC98 pic.twitter.com/d5zSD68kOI
— Neo Vale Tudo (@NeoValeTudo) October 6, 2022
Random Land
Maybe Michael Myers movies are realistic?
Midnight Music: Freddie Gibbs — for my money, the best rapper of the last ten years — dropped another LP, Soul Sold Separately. As expected, it slaps!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.