Midnight Mania! Female boxer Heather Hardy gets headkicked, nose broken in Bellator MMA bout

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Undefeated as a professional boxer, Heather Hardy was a highly touted prospect coming into tonight’s Bellator 185. She had finished her last opponent via TKO, and seemed to have star potential. However, tonight, she suffered her first defeat in either MMA or boxing at the hands of debut fighter Kristina Williams, who broke Hardy’s nose with a brutal head kick.

The fight was a kicking clinic for Williams. Heather Hardy earns points for being incredibly tough and staying on her feet despite taking shinbone to the noggin. It’s clear Hardy has some things to work on if she’s going to have a successful MMA career, though. The broken nose reminded many of Rory Macdonald’s fights with Stephen Thompson and Robbie Lawler.

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Insomnia

This is the best branding effort I’ve seen on the internet- and guess who is involved.

Your very own Herb Dean, referee to the stars.

Gegard Mousasi’s many emotions, y’all. Who else could display emotion with such range and depth? Gunnar Nelson? Rory MacDonald? Mousasi’s early mentor, Fedor Emelianenko?

McGregor, who is back in the gym, is enjoying time with his chubby baby.

“I’m gonna fight till I’m dead” – “Platinum” Mike Perry

Apparently, there was no one in the top ten who signed on the dotted line to fight Kamaru Usman, so Emil Meek stepped up.

Meek referencing Usman’s nickname, the Nigerian Nightmare

This guy makes a YouTube career out of tackling deadbeat dads. Honestly, I’m not sure how to feel about that. But it IS funny.

Rashad Evans focusing on the important things in life- helping his extended family.

I interviewed Phil Daru, Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s strength and conditioning coach, for next week’s MMA Outsider’s podcast. I can’t wait to share his knowledge with you Maniacs.

Joanna is the best female fighter in MMA, and she’s only getting better

Ummm… firstly, who calls Michael Page that? Secondly, “artisan striking bouquet” is not a series of words I ever hope to read in sequence again. I almost threw up.

Michael Page only wants to showboat against cans, and each time he does this I lose a little bit more respect for him as a martial artist and a competitor.

Not exactly Netflix and chill.

Demian Maia knows the history at stake in the next month.

UFC Bantamweight Brian Kelleher reminding us all that weight cutting is bad for everyone and the sport as a whole.

Oh, that’s smart.

Renzo Gracie collecting trash bags for community service sounds like a fun time for everyone… even if he can’t sing for shit. It also sounds like garbage men are really inclusive.

CM Punk’s next opponent, with the odds opening as dead even.

Demetrious Johnson is getting a free custom-themed PS4.

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Slips, Rips, KO Clips

When you think you are Tony Ferguson

Elbows from hell, as demonstrated by Nathan Corbett.

When it’s just not worth all that.

Random technique day

Fun in grappling

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Podcasts and Video

One last time- the MMA Outsiders podcast with Whitney Miller

Donald Cerrone vs. Darren Till by the numbers. Follow MMA Mania on Youtube for more

Din Thomas explains how he feels about working with domestic violence abuser Greg Hardy

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