Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Jon Jones is a wrathful king.
Just a couple weeks removed from Jones’ split-decision victory over Thiago Santos, it seems that his fellow 205 lbs. athletes smell weakness. As a result, more men than usual have been calling out “Bones,” and not all of those fight requests have been polite.
The champion has not taken these insults lightly. Earlier today, he took to Twitter to respond, laughing off Anthony Smith before really ripping into Corey Anderson. I like and respect “Lionheart,” but one has to admit that Smith’s quote is badly worded for a fighter who has literally been stopped on 12 separate occasions — a number which does not include his decision loss to Jones.
Anthony Smith in a recent interview: “I’ve said it over, and over, and over again: I’m coming, and there’s no one who’s gonna stop me.”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 16, 2019
Anderson’s comments were more personal, and it’s clear that Jones really does not appreciate them. Check it out:
Breaking news: Cory Anderson verbally attacks Jon Jones about his past.
Why does these guys have to talk smack before taking their L? And then after the fight I go on with good sportsmanship and say nice things about them. It’s getting old
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 16, 2019
I get it, just wish these boys would let their skills speak for them. For these guys to be considered some of the toughest men/athletes in the world, most of them act like little bitches. Always with the bark and very little bite https://t.co/WPnc7hxfQN
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 16, 2019
Yeah I know very little about him but I’ll definitely expose his ass. He might want to tell his wife to stay home in December. https://t.co/sdrVAxj94s
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 16, 2019
As Jones is likely aware, answering Anderson in this fashion is actually the best way to make the fight happen. Jones himself acknowledges that few people know much about Anderson despite him being a highly-ranked Light Heavyweight, and the match up seems to greatly favor “Bones” even more than his usual stylistic dominance. As a result, a bit of bad blood seems the only way to market that bout.
Jones also does have a point that no one is actually attacking his skill set, which would be a fresh take. After UFC 239, you would think at least one Light Heavyweight would make fun of Jones for forgetting he was allowed to punch or failing to finish a one-legged man. Instead, they stick to the same script about Jones’ past — which may be true but is no longer interesting.
Insomnia
Check out this decade-old throwback.
It’s been some years, but here’s a reminder that Pat Barry used to decimate Heavyweights with just a couple low kicks.
Jose Aldo with some classic Muay Thai combos on mitts.
This is downright unpleasant to watch.
Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov are hilarious together.
Another angle on why refereeing is a difficult job.
It seems like Darren Till’s next fight may be at 185 lbs.
Slips, rips, and KO Clips
Some “Hellboy” highlights!
King of the walk-off knee. Joachim “Hellboy” Hansen. pic.twitter.com/pqaKsLYOSR
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 16, 2019
Hansen-Miyata pic.twitter.com/RYV58LQwJS
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 16, 2019
It’s always a risky move to give up mount in pursuit of the arm, but it paid off here!
Second-ranked flyweight Takumi Tamaru (@tamatyaw) moves up to 135 with aplomb, taming and armbarring Takahiro Ichijo! Shooto’s 2016 MIP and 2015 rookie MVP moves to 9-1-1. The 23-year-old has stopped eight, five in round one, and five via sub (three by armbar). #Shooto0715 pic.twitter.com/OfL3xWdFI4
— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) July 15, 2019
Every once in a while, a wrestler throws an overhand with the intent of hiding a takedown only to brutally knock his foe out cold.
Welcome to the top ten, Kazuma Kuramoto (@kazuma_kuramoto)! The 2013 All-Japan champ in Greco-Roman wrestling moves to 6-0, icing Tomoya Hirakawa in under 40 seconds! All four of his finishes are first-round knockouts. This prospect is one to watch. #Shooto0715 pic.twitter.com/kfBeXQ35vt
— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) July 15, 2019
Quicker than the “Gamebred” KO?
Azjavkhlan Baataryn knocks out Fusano in seconds pic.twitter.com/i03hywzDZb
— MEGATON (THE OUTSIDER International Fansite) (@BasedDongeezus) July 14, 2019
Random Land
Twitter was hating on on this, but Twitter hates everything — I think it’s pretty neat!
Fier de notre armée, moderne et innovante. pic.twitter.com/DQvIfPolQf
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 14, 2019
Midnight Music: RIP to the recently deceased Bossa Nova pioneer Joao Gilberto. If you’ve never heard it, Getz/Gilberto is a quick and lovely listen.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.