Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Ryan Garcia (24-1) is one of the biggest names in boxing currently. The former WBC interim Lightweight champion recently rebounded from the first defeat of his professional career to knock out Oscar Duarte (watch highlights), a victory that once again sets him up for high-profile match ups and potentially major pay-per-view (PPV) events.
Initially, Garcia was targeting a long-awaited match up with multiple-division champion Devin Haney (31-0), a man Garcia boxed multiple times while the two were coming up on the amateur scene. After going on a run with Floyd Mayweather, however, Garcia changed his tune and decided he’d rather fight Rolly Romero (15-1), the current WBA Super Lightweight champion.
Mayweather’s sudden influence on Garcia comes at an interesting time. Since coming up short vs. Gervonta Davis, Garcia has switched up his training environment, and he’s also expressed displeasure with Golden Boy promotions and its founder, Oscar De La Hoya. Tensions have run high between the two, and “Money” in the mix is unlikely to help.
Consequently, De La Hoya wrote on his Instagram story a fairly short message for the boxing legend: f—k off!
From Oscar De La Hoya’s IG story pic.twitter.com/paOkyu2wfL
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 11, 2024
“Pre-run with Floyd = Ryan wants Haney. Post-run with Floyd = Ryan wants Rolly. Golden boy has worked with Ryan Garcia since he turned pro, and together have made him the biggest draw in boxing. We will make his fight with Rolly into a huge event, as we always do. Floyd, if you want to give Ryan the secret to defense in the ring, that’s great. Other than that, if you are still a promoter like it says here, f—k off.”
That doesn’t sound insecure to anyone else, right?
At the moment, Garcia vs. Romero remains unsigned, but it’s an event is likely to be announced sooner than later. Stay tuned for further updates, both to potential fight news or more drama between Garcia and Golden Boy promotions.
Insomnia
Aljamain Sterling has completely revamped his game and is ready to get back in the jiu-jitsu competition scene.
Rafael dos Anjos succinctly explains his decision to move back to 155 lbs. for his next fight.
Let me put this way, I’m going to get paid more than you will do in your entire life.
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) January 10, 2024
Ahh, the latest edition of “Will he, won’t he?” with Paulo Costa.
Fight is on , just waiting this get on email from ufc https://t.co/WPX2NWAlmQ
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 10, 2024
Dominick Reyes fight announcement, which means I’m preparing to be sad again.
Dominick Reyes will fight Carlos Ulberg at #UFCAtlanticCity on March 30th. (first rep. @MMAFighting) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/6swnlZQh0W
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) January 9, 2024
Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev are trying to be active and fight the best. This is the way!
Charles Oliveira’s head coach explains the reasoning behind taking the Arman Tsarukyan fight #UFC300 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/IomzIFEgiA
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) January 10, 2024
Such a clean sweep:
Kaona – draw the block, sweep the leg. pic.twitter.com/0HwZeygMgt
— Muay Thai Scholar (@MuayThaiScholar) January 10, 2024
Good scrambles between Sean Strickland and Magomed Ankalaev!
Magomed Ankalaev & Sean Strickland training together before their main events at #UFCVegas84 & #UFC297
: YT / ESPN MMA pic.twitter.com/V2NcDigiYy
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) January 10, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Hid the shift behind the first right hand, and the left power kick opened up as a result.
Skull crushing head kickpic.twitter.com/yHzrq7XeF9
— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) January 10, 2024
Speaking of setting up high kicks, TJ Dillashaw is one of the best in UFC history at setting up his head kicks from both stances.
Every TJ Dillashaw head kick in the UFC
— ??????????? (@TheArtOfWar6) January 10, 2024
I love a good playing possum moment.
Random Land
Maybe there is a benefit to everyone in modern society carrying around an HD camera.
Midnight Music: RIP David Bowie, gone eight years today.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.