Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Yesterday, boxing star Ryan Garcia accepted a one-year suspension from professional boxing competition, the result of a positive drug test for ostarine stemming from his match versus decorated champion Devin Haney (watch highlights). In addition to the suspension, Garcia’s victory over Haney was overturned to a “No Contest,” and he lost out on his $1.1 million purse and suffered an additional $10k fine.
That may not be the end of it.
Ultimately, Haney is the man wronged by Garcia’s alleged usage of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Though he’s once again officially undefeated, Haney still was rattled by Garcia’s punches more than once, and the public watched him taste defeat. According to Haney, the bout versus Garcia — who also missed weight — injured his reputation and market value, resulting in a lower purse bid for his next bout.
Someone has to pay, and Haney is motivated to make sure Garcia picks up the tab. To that end, “The Dream” is threatening legal action.
?? Devin Haney has declared that he’s planning to take further legal action against Ryan Garcia following his one-year drugs ban. Haney is adamant he would be earning more for his next fight had the Garcia situation never happened and believes the Sandor Martin purse bids show…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) June 21, 2024
“[The bout] definitely had a major impact,” Haney explained to Title Sports Network. “I haven’t made a million and a half since my beginning days of signing with Matchroom. So it affected me. My lawyers and my team will do what they gotta do to prove that in court against Ryan Garcia, and we will take legal action, because it has affected me. Not only financially but mentally and everything.”
Garcia, meanwhile, has denied everything on Twitter and threatened to head to the UFC instead. Maybe we’ll see him defending himself in the court of law sometime sooner than lateR?
Insomnia
This is now one of the funniest clips I’ve ever seen.
Kelvin Gastelum posting this on April 13th is pretty wild given what’s happening right now pic.twitter.com/A3ZjnCuj9n
— SOOKY MMA (@TheSookyScoop) June 20, 2024
RIP to UFC 1 participant Teila Tuli, the first man to step into the UFC cage.
RIP Teila Tuli.
1/2 of the first fight in UFC history. pic.twitter.com/1bqjUQah2o— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 21, 2024
Tai Tuivasa reveals he’s fighting Jairzino Rozenstruik at UFC 305. Who remains standing when the dust settles?
Tai Tuivasa says he has a fight booked against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at #UFC305 in Perth
YT / @AlexPereiraUFC #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/3GYA7a4vjX
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 21, 2024
It took a long time for Rafael dos Anjos to win this exchange.
That’s the difference between me and you Conor, you finally got exposed. You got a pinky toe injury while I got a broken foot. Let me know what you guys think on the comments below. https://t.co/q79Do4eLnL pic.twitter.com/iiH1RRMKIS
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 21, 2024
Finally, some uplifting martial arts news.
A family of taekwondo black belts in Texas rescued a woman who was allegedly being sexually assaulted inside a business next to their dojo, authorities say. https://t.co/3QmXnNiyRo
— ABC News (@ABC) June 21, 2024
Gervonta Davis really has a way with words.
This nigga couldn’t knock out Devin Haney mama if he wanted too https://t.co/ebscqD44Sv
— Tank Davis (@Gervontaa_) June 21, 2024
In my book: the more obscure the reference, the better the trash talk. Masterful work from Islam Makhachev (or his manager Ali Abdelaziz … or Ali’s ghostwriter).
And my condolences to Michael ‘Hachiko’ Chandler
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) June 21, 2024
Holy shit! This is a violation pic.twitter.com/REcssOeLgF
— ? (@Sa_Gwang) June 21, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I wonder whose corner was yelling “close that door with the right hand up,” which means to finish the combo with the left hook. Both listened!
Zurcher puts his opponent on airplane mode!
PUT HIM IN FOR 2025 PFL SEASON!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
ESPN+
https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/DYMb9cFFzh— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024
I don’t think Shampoo has a ton of experience fighting off leg locks.
Isaac Dull submits Renan Shampoo via 2nd round heel hook. “And Shampoo was taken to the cleaners.” This man is a professional. #ShootoBrasil123 pic.twitter.com/68JWntiWLy
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 22, 2024
Andrew Sanchez always gets knocked out in weird ways.
Sadibou Sy stops Andrew Sanchez in the third round pic.twitter.com/gvhLWzFm8l
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) June 21, 2024
Random Land
This whole thread is very neat.
Thread on alternative views of iconic landmarks you (probably) haven’t seen before
1. The worn steps of the Tower of Pisa pic.twitter.com/eXpQ1ahmpE
— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) June 19, 2024
9. Top down view of the Statue of Liberty pic.twitter.com/gkYAdwY1xX
— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) June 19, 2024
21. The back of Mount Rushmore pic.twitter.com/KOEHTKple9
— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) June 19, 2024
Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1994
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.