Midnight Mania! “Irish” Joe Duffy downplays McGregor’s chances and power against Mayweather

Bringing you the weird and the wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight

Welcome to Midnight Mania! Tonight we’ve got MMA fighter and undefeated pro boxer Joe Duffy giving his opinion on McGregor’s chances vs. Mayweather, Cody Garbrandt hitting back at TJ Dillashaw’s “daddy” comments on his relationship with Faber, Brian Stann raising money to put a smile Chito Vera’s daughter’s face, knockouts, sumo, podcasts, and much more.

#TheMMAHour had to ask @Duffy_MMA (7-0 in boxing) what he thought of #MayweatherMcGregor pic.twitter.com/YQMvZzkxKT

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) March 21, 2017

“Irish” Joe Duffy gave his thoughts on McGregor’s chances against Floyd Mayweather. Duffy is uniquely positioned to give an opinion, having not only beaten Conor McGregor on the regional circuit, but also going 7-0 as a pro boxer himself. He wasn’t as optimistic as Dana White. Via BloodyElbow.com:

“I think in combat sports, there’s always a puncher’s chance,” Duffy said during an appearance at the MMA Hour. “In MMA, boxing, there’s always that puncher’s chance.”

However, he didn’t rate that chance very highly. McGregor’s vaunted power? In Duffy’s estimation, that power isn’t as extraordinary compared to professional boxers.

“I feel that Floyd is probably used to getting in there with bigger hitters than Conor. Boxers, them boxers really do hit (hard),” he said.

“On the scorecards, I really feel it’s a landslide towards Floyd. He’s one of the best of all time. How he made Pacquiao look — and Pacquiao is one of the best boxers we’ve seen in a long time — I think that just proves the level he’s at. Canelo’s probably a bigger hitter than Conor, (look) how he boxed him.

He does give Conor credit for his natural talents, but as Mark Twain once said, “talent is useless without training, thank God.” Duffy thinks McGregor hasn’t had the fine tuning Mayweather has had since his youth.

“It’s different. It takes a while to get into that sport, and to get up to par. I think if he pursued boxing for a long time, he could’ve done very well, definitely, but Floyd has been doing this since he was a child. I really just can’t see it going any other way.”

McGregor, of course, is still insistent that he will shock the world.

Bobs and Weaves

Cody Garbrandt has a retort for TJ Dillashaw’s latest comments.

That boy got twitter fingers but when confronted in real life he is a coward!!

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) March 21, 2017

He knows there’s more to the story! how about ending one of your teammates career you cheap shottin mother fucker! https://t.co/LZ4JgavTWR

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) March 21, 2017

A Worthy Cause

Brian Stann is the man. Marlon “Chito” Vera, the guy who just managed to knock out Brad Pickett in a comeback win, needs surgery for his daughter, who suffers from a chronic condition where she can’t change her facial expression. The surgery alone costs $90,000. Stann and several other fighters are planning on hosting a charity dinner July 5th, on International Fight Week, to raise money for it. It will literally put a smile on this girl’s face. There is a GoFundMe page for it, “Give Chito Vera’s daughter a smile”

Gonna make this happen on Juky 5 for @chitoveraUFC https://t.co/CP5eBWhrG2

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) March 22, 2017

Ross Baines makes some dope artwork.

@RenzoGracieBJJ My latest painting of your man Nate. pic.twitter.com/Lp8YugvTKU

— Ross Baines Art (@RossBainesArt) March 21, 2017

Cody Garbrandt is a fan.

Thanks @RossBainesArt pic.twitter.com/4bBMhw9mr0

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) March 22, 2017

If you ever thought Tyron Woodley was making up stories about racism on the Internet…

reddit: still fucking bad

Marc Diakiese: fucking rad pic.twitter.com/SPiXIsVez8

— Jessica Hudnall (@LegKickTKO) March 21, 2017

The waxing and waning of Mackenzie Dern’s accent

Phil Davis is eager for another fight with Ryan Bader, this time for the Bellator Light Heavyweight title.

I’ve been waiting on you! Let’s do this https://t.co/tkpa3A7Ns4

— Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) March 20, 2017

Speaking of Bellator fighters, I knew Ben Henderson was a weird dude. But what’s up with this GIF of a mermaid?

pic.twitter.com/qM0GwWHWRP

— TheOnceAndFutureKing (@BensonHenderson) March 21, 2017

Stephen Thompson isn’t the only welterweight recovering. Tim Means is going to be just fine.

For everyone asking fracture right foot bone bruise and nerve contusion. Be back in six to 8 weeks thanks for the support. pic.twitter.com/qh8zRfuNE3

— tim means (@MeansTim) March 20, 2017

Slips, Rips and KO Clips

Gennady Golovkin may have just scraped by a decision win, neglecting his usual body punching and lacking his typical volume, but his footwork was still on point.

How to Cut Off the Ring by GGG #GolovkinJacobs #Boxing pic.twitter.com/MnJ49jUSvM

— Nocaut.NET (@nocautnet) March 22, 2017

Y’all already know if there are Sumo highlights, I will be featuring them. You are welcome.

pic.twitter.com/URRNkcEako

— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) March 19, 2017

Shohozan gave it a good try but Kisenosato stays unbeaten as a Yokozuna pic.twitter.com/7B5tDSBw51

— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) March 19, 2017

pic.twitter.com/UF8HN6e5mF

— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) March 20, 2017

Kisenosato up to 9-0 pic.twitter.com/gMpnGyegTx

— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) March 20, 2017

Some old and pretty knockouts:

Raja Shippen finishes Jung Hyun Ahn with a spinning elbow and knees #BattlefieldFC1 pic.twitter.com/rAKmlskQRv

— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) March 21, 2017

Tommy Hearns breathtaking performance against ‘Hands of Stone’ Roberto Duran. pic.twitter.com/y1MeBWs7sn

— EditinKing Boxing (@EditinKing) March 20, 2017

Cung Le was a legend in Sanshou.

Quick Hits

Podcasts and Video

The Fight Society Podcast with Damon Martin, TJ Dillashaw, Duane Ludwig and Matt Brown

The Co-Main Event podcast

Also, did @chaddundas refer to himself as a “hot-ass dad” driving around in his minivan? The answer may horrify you. https://t.co/Lj1LpGFTPJ

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) March 21, 2017

The Severe MMA podcast

The Monday Morning Analyst, if you haven’t seen it yet

Random Land

This sport always amazed me.

SPORT: New ski jumping world record at 253.5 meters set by Stefan Kraft pic.twitter.com/aKDnVg7XS2

— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) March 22, 2017

Read about Aaron Hernandez’s bone-chilling encounter with a gangster that he shot in the head.

Stay woke, Maniacs!

Bringing you the weird and the wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight

Welcome to Midnight Mania! Tonight we’ve got MMA fighter and undefeated pro boxer Joe Duffy giving his opinion on McGregor’s chances vs. Mayweather, Cody Garbrandt hitting back at TJ Dillashaw’s “daddy” comments on his relationship with Faber, Brian Stann raising money to put a smile Chito Vera’s daughter’s face, knockouts, sumo, podcasts, and much more.

“Irish” Joe Duffy gave his thoughts on McGregor’s chances against Floyd Mayweather. Duffy is uniquely positioned to give an opinion, having not only beaten Conor McGregor on the regional circuit, but also going 7-0 as a pro boxer himself. He wasn’t as optimistic as Dana White. Via BloodyElbow.com:

“I think in combat sports, there’s always a puncher’s chance,” Duffy said during an appearance at the MMA Hour. “In MMA, boxing, there’s always that puncher’s chance.”

However, he didn’t rate that chance very highly. McGregor’s vaunted power? In Duffy’s estimation, that power isn’t as extraordinary compared to professional boxers.

“I feel that Floyd is probably used to getting in there with bigger hitters than Conor. Boxers, them boxers really do hit (hard),” he said.

“On the scorecards, I really feel it’s a landslide towards Floyd. He’s one of the best of all time. How he made Pacquiao look — and Pacquiao is one of the best boxers we’ve seen in a long time — I think that just proves the level he’s at. Canelo’s probably a bigger hitter than Conor, (look) how he boxed him.

He does give Conor credit for his natural talents, but as Mark Twain once said, “talent is useless without training, thank God.” Duffy thinks McGregor hasn’t had the fine tuning Mayweather has had since his youth.

“It’s different. It takes a while to get into that sport, and to get up to par. I think if he pursued boxing for a long time, he could’ve done very well, definitely, but Floyd has been doing this since he was a child. I really just can’t see it going any other way.”

McGregor, of course, is still insistent that he will shock the world.

Bobs and Weaves

Cody Garbrandt has a retort for TJ Dillashaw’s latest comments.

A Worthy Cause

Brian Stann is the man. Marlon “Chito” Vera, the guy who just managed to knock out Brad Pickett in a comeback win, needs surgery for his daughter, who suffers from a chronic condition where she can’t change her facial expression. The surgery alone costs $90,000. Stann and several other fighters are planning on hosting a charity dinner July 5th, on International Fight Week, to raise money for it. It will literally put a smile on this girl’s face. There is a GoFundMe page for it, “Give Chito Vera’s daughter a smile”

Ross Baines makes some dope artwork.

Cody Garbrandt is a fan.

If you ever thought Tyron Woodley was making up stories about racism on the Internet…

The waxing and waning of Mackenzie Dern’s accent

Phil Davis is eager for another fight with Ryan Bader, this time for the Bellator Light Heavyweight title.

Speaking of Bellator fighters, I knew Ben Henderson was a weird dude. But what’s up with this GIF of a mermaid?

Stephen Thompson isn’t the only welterweight recovering. Tim Means is going to be just fine.

Slips, Rips and KO Clips

Gennady Golovkin may have just scraped by a decision win, neglecting his usual body punching and lacking his typical volume, but his footwork was still on point.

Y’all already know if there are Sumo highlights, I will be featuring them. You are welcome.

Some old and pretty knockouts:

Cung Le was a legend in Sanshou.

Quick Hits

Podcasts and Video

The Fight Society Podcast with Damon Martin, TJ Dillashaw, Duane Ludwig and Matt Brown

The Co-Main Event podcast

The Severe MMA podcast

The Monday Morning Analyst, if you haven’t seen it yet

Random Land

This sport always amazed me.

Read about Aaron Hernandez’s bone-chilling encounter with a gangster that he shot in the head.

Stay woke, Maniacs!