Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight
Welcome to Midnight Mania! Tonight, Andrade challenges Magana to a very unfair fight, Stipe gets floor time at the Cavs game with Machine Gun Kelly, a model/fighter explains how Muay Thai helped her, knockouts, sumo, and much more
Brazilians, Assemble
Angela Magana and Cris Cyborg got into it, and Cris Cyborg punched her in the face. Now, Cyborg is facing battery charges, and fighters are lining up on one side or the other of this social media dispute gone south. Several have come out in favor of Cris Cyborg, notably her Brazilian compatriot, recent title challenger Jessica Andrade.
The callout started with Magana going back and forth with Tim Sylvia, of all people.
@timsylviamma Why therefore has this never happened outside a press event in ufc history? Because its fucking illegal and she can’t control #roidrage
— Angela Magana (@AngelaMagana1) May 23, 2017
@timsylviamma There is also a code that you can not hit people out side the cage
— Angela Magana (@AngelaMagana1) May 23, 2017
It was at this point that Jessica Andrade, who just challenged for the title in Magana’s weight class, jumped in and offered to hit Magana inside the Octagon. She even hashtagged herself #babycyborg, which makes it that much better.
@AngelaMagana1 @timsylviamma Ok,so let´s do this…You cant fight Gabi or Cris anyways, so I volunteer to hit you inside the octagon @seanshelby @criscyborg #babycyborg
— Jessica Andrade UFC (@jessicammapro) May 24, 2017
This wouldn’t be anything like a fair fight, of course. Andrade just challenged for the title, and while Joanna Jedrzejczyk picked her apart, she destroyed three other contenders leading up to that fight, while Angela Magana hasn’t won a professional fight since 2011.
But Baby Cyborg facing Magana in a fight with punches probably beats watching Full Size Cyborg overpower Magana in a grappling match, as Magana suggested.
Insomnia
Gegard Mousasi didn’t think Kobe Bryant lives in the same world as UFC athletes, and he’s right. Bryant’s world includes athlete’s unions, among other things.
Gegard Mousasi describes the UFC Athlete Retreat as only he can. pic.twitter.com/dlFRCyfur8
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) May 25, 2017
Ariel Helwani said this was one of his favorite interviews ever. It’s cool to see what martial arts can do for someone.
Model/Fighter @MissMiaKang tells @ArielHelwani on #TheMMAHour how #muaythai gave her confidence pic.twitter.com/YXZCZWJj2F
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) May 24, 2017
Tony Ferguson hitting the speed bag
“Built For Speed” • #TonyFergusonMMA #SnapJitsu • pic.twitter.com/JNfeAA3uo9
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) May 24, 2017
Justin Scoggins pointing out he beat Ray Borg not that long ago. Does anyone besides Mighty Mouse want to see Borg get the title shot at flyweight ahead of Dillashaw?
He’s this guy I beat up last February https://t.co/4eKvPjveDl
— Justin Scoggins (@ScogginsFlow) May 24, 2017
Stipe getting honored in Cleveland
Here’s the real king of CLE, @stipemiocicufc, getting a hero’s welcome at last night’s @cavs game (w/ pal @machinegunkelly). He’s fired up! pic.twitter.com/2A1EgrrysY
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 24, 2017
The TUF tryouts involved a lot of grappling. Remember Rachael Ostovich?
#TUF26 Tryouts had @rachaelostovich facing @TrishaCicero in the grappling round #flyweight pic.twitter.com/WNtGxh5rg9
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) May 24, 2017
Ray Borg on how he feels about fighting Demetrious Johnson, and offers Wilson Reis as another possible opponent. He also calls some fans turds, which is fair and just.
Here is were I stand goodnight. pic.twitter.com/9i1LbVVHBa
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) May 24, 2017
These really aren’t the best numbers– maybe Bellator shouldn’t be airing these on tape delay. Just saying.
Spike PR:
Rory MacDonald- Paul Daley main event drew 877,000 viewers – peaking with 955,000, despite heavy sports competition that evening
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) May 24, 2017
Updates on MayGregther.
Per the NAC, McGregor’s boxing license has yet to be officially approved because they’re requesting more info. No cause for concern, though.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 24, 2017
That said, everyone I’ve talked to continues to feel confident about the fight and are hopeful it will get done sooner rather than later.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 24, 2017
Slips. Rips. Awesome Clips
This weekend in combat sports
Live Combat Sport Schedule: 5/25 – 5/28https://t.co/hP4itcxB8h
Fight cards, start times, and streams updated all week. pic.twitter.com/9PGdl8tGEg
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 24, 2017
Justin Gaethje fights Michael Johnson and Gaethje fans are excited.
@Grabaka_Hitman CAPTAIN FUCKING VIOLENCE! pic.twitter.com/rOTK5fH8oB
— Jonnyboy (@Jonnyboy_6969) May 25, 2017
SUMO SUMO SUMO SUMO
— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) May 24, 2017
Lower division action – interdivisional actually, #juryo Meisei vs #makishita #Tochihiryu – watch for #nodowa throat thrust at the end. pic.twitter.com/a8KY6NJJc5
— SumoSoul (@TheSumoSoul) May 24, 2017
Day 12 lower div action Tsubakifuji nice throw for his KK majority wins! #Sumo #natsubasho pic.twitter.com/ADbAEIZjBU
— SumoSoul (@TheSumoSoul) May 25, 2017
Good Reads
- MMA Mania’s own Andrew Richardson, out of Team Alpha Male, wrote up a detailed and fascinating account of his latest fight. I thoroughly enjoyed his first-person narrative of the lead up and the fight itself, and his commitment to write this up even though the night didn’t go his way.
- Alliance MMA, a publicly owned regional MMA conglomerate, is run by a shady businessman and is not doing well. Read the full story
- Jack Slack previews Gus-Texeira
Podcasts and Video
Heavy Hands gets into some excellent discussion this week, but I don’t get name dropped, so ultimately it’s not the Best Episode Ever.
The Promotional Malpractice Live Chat
Tommy Toehold gets almost as hype as I am about Robert Whittaker fighting Yoel Romero. I don’t care about ratings or buys- UFC 213 is awesome possum
Stay woke, Maniacs!
Follow me on Twitter @Vorpality