Midnight Mania: ‘I Want To Die In The Ring’

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There are legitimate concerns to be had about the upcoming Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul super fight.

“Iron” Mike is an all-time boxing legend, but he’s also a 58-year-old man who looked washed in the ring two decades ago. There’s a reason Tyson retired from professional competition! His body is worn down, and he already suffered a serious health issue once that derailed the initial summer scheduling. Despite the quick mitts clips and brief sparring footage that circulates social media, it’s difficult to know what kind of shape Tyson will enter the ring in … or how he’ll leave it.

Ahead of their fight, which will air live on Netflix on Nov. 15 from Arlington, Texas, Tyson is leaning into the safety concern angle. In the new trailer for the upcoming Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson series, Tyson makes a shocking statement about just how far he’s willing to go in pursuit of boxing greatness.

“If I win, I’ll be immortal,” Tyson says near the end of the promo (H/T Curtis Calhoun). “I don’t want to die in a hospital bed. I want to die in the ring.”

The first episodes of the Countdown series will release on November 7. Per the description, “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson captures inside footage from the fighters’ training camps, giving viewers a close-up look at the grit, determination and physical demands of preparing for the can’t miss boxing mega-event.”

Hopefully, it doesn’t also serve as a memorialization.

Insomnia

Is Ilia Topuria’s knockout over Max Holloway an all-time great finish or CIA conspiracy? BJ Penn weighs in:

I hope Mark Hunt drops some creative curse words in his court appearance vs. Zuffa.

Having a previous jaw injury is NOT the best base for MMA.

This is a super fun scramble, but yeah, this is definitely a standard gym wrestling match at the end of practice. No points until top position is secured!

Alright, “Pirate” is a pretty badass and fitting nickname. Shara Magomedov has won me over …

Battle of lanky Featherweight lads:

10 years later … for my money, one of the all-time highest level and most entertaining fights in UFC history. If you became a fight fan after this era, go back and give it a watch!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

There is a direct correlation between logos glued onto skin and violence in the cage.

Eyes to the sky when threatened by a triangle choke …

I cannot not think of Luis Saldana as the guy who jumped on the cage while the fight was still going. Skilled fighter though …

Random Land

Zero gravity wrestling!

Midnight Music: Indie rock, 2006

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.