Midnight Mania: ‘Leave This Sport For The Young Fighters’

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t want any part of a reignited feud with former rival Tony Ferguson.

The retired Russian legend made headlines this week for claiming that Ferguson could only have defeated him via “lucky punch.” Unsurprisingly, Ferguson took issue with that comment and quickly posted a small social media rant labeling “The Eagle” a fat chicken (among other things). All things considered, it was a pretty standard “El Cucuy” post. Still, Nurmagomedov responded on X early Tuesday morning, and he denied making those recent comments.

“You know what’s interesting,” Nurmagomedov posted. “I didn’t say anything about you, people just post whatever they want on the internet and write that it’s Khabib. Enjoy your life and your family, leave this sport for the young fighters.”

The problem with Khabib’s post (or whoever is running his account) is that the source of the lucky punch quote was a podcast … that’s on YouTube … in English! It can still be watched right HERE! You can watch Nurmagomedov say it himself at about the 24:30 mark.

Regardless, the final sentence is good advice. At 40 years of age, Ferguson recently set the UFC record for consecutive losses when he was easily tapped out by Michael Chiesa for an eighth straight defeat. “El Cucuy” hasn’t officially been released by the UFC or retired outright, but there’s nothing left for him in the cage.

Sadly, we’ll never actually know what would’ve happened had Ferguson and Khabib met at the height of their respective powers. Ferguson’s ugly losing streak has largely killed off what once was a strong belief that the Californian could really trouble the legendary “Eagle,” but it still remains as an all-time “what if” in MMA history.

Damn that stupid cable.

Insomnia

Carlos Prates is trying to line up a fight versus Michael Page. It’s been too long since we’ve since a classic Muay Thai vs. Karate match up in the Octagon!

I hate this. There are plenty of actual issues in MMA, go tackle one of those, NSAC.

Win or lose, Nikita Krylov can be trusted to get after it.

It sounds like Dan Ige had a bit of a mishap on the freeway.

There’s only one Merab Dvalishvili.

Luck is as important a factor for success as anything else in this sport.

The devilish red feels quite appropriate.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Jean Silva is a walking highlight reel.

That knee on the way down was well-timed.

15 years ago today! One of the most fun Heavyweight fights of all time.

Random Land

Moving on from Paris 2024 to greener pastures.

Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 2003

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