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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) is not a program known for its serenity. Drunken fights in the house are not uncommon, sure, but coaches are known to get very emotionally invested in the competition as well. Since the very first season, coach relationships have been a focal point, varying between rivalry and outright animosity.
Conor McGregor is no stranger to the position, having coached TUF opposite Urijah Faber back in 2015. However, it was known going into that season that the two were not going to fight at the end, so the relationship remained fairly friendly throughout. That’s not the case with McGregor’s current foil, Michael Chandler, who is expected to face off with the Irish talent at some point in 2023.
Just over a week ago, UFC President Dana White hinted that things were really heating up at the TUF house, and rumors of a brawl quickly spread. In his recent interview with Barstool Sports’ My Mom’s Basement, McGregor addressed his relationship with Chandler, admitting both respect and hostility.
“Of course, I have respect for Chandler. We had an issue, obviously, tempers are flaring. It’s a f—king hostile thing right, respect and admiration, I like his style, he likes my style, we have a good little buzz. That is the way it should be. It’s still competitive fire, we’re still gonna, I’m still gonna mince him,” McGregor said (via Cole Shelton).
He continued, “I know he’s going to try and throw everything into his shots also. But, there is still admiration, that is how it should be, that is how the sport should be, you should have the ability to separate it. That’s what’s such a great thing about the sport, usually, when you get in there and do it, it’s a settler. We had an issue once during it and it was all good. Tempers are flaring and we got past it. I’m excited to have completed the competition in the show and I’m excited to compete against him for real.”
McGregor last competed in July 2021, coming up short in his trilogy match vs. Dustin Poirier and badly injuring his leg in the process. While recovering, McGregor has crossed over into the world of film, starring in the Roadhouse remake alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
Insomnia
Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic catching up is pretty cool.
Alistair Overeem? Performance enhancing drugs? Say it ain’t so! “The Reem” has been suspended 12 months and his victory over Badr Hari is overturned to a “No Contest.”
Alistair Overeem voor 12 maanden geschorst! ‘Gevecht met Badr Hari No-Contest’ https://t.co/z6VqPFGuSI
— Vechtsport Info (@vechtsport_Info) March 14, 2023
Raphael Assuncao fought the best of the best at 135-pounds through multiple generations.
? Fighter removed: Raphael Assuncao
— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) March 14, 2023
Will the bubble someday burst, or is influencer boxing the future of combat sports?
I believe it https://t.co/b3bHkotllZ pic.twitter.com/3alf2IOlWc
— ??????????? (@TheArtOfWar6) March 14, 2023
I don’t care what the betting odds say, historical precedent argues that Kamaru Usman’s odds of taking back his title from a younger champion are not great.
UFC fighters trying to win back their title in immediate rematches are 3-11 in UFC history.
The only people to do it are Randy Couture, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Amanda Nunes.
Leon Edwards is currently a +200 underdog ahead of his trilogy fight with Kamaru Usman. #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/GJRZyfFLu4
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) March 14, 2023
Marcin Tybura has quietly won seven of his last eight. Would you like to see him fight Tom Aspinall?
-Breaking News-#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/1K10kpF9sK
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 13, 2023
If only Valentina Shevchenko knew!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Yup, that’s a perfect wheel kick.
And all it took was 25 seconds
Last night’s KO of the night – Nikita Leshukov#LevelsFightLeague #LFLMMA #LFL8 #KO #WheelKick #knockout pic.twitter.com/SO8PBWbcck
— Levels Fight League (@LFL_MMA) March 13, 2023
There’s a certain level of explosiveness and snap on Rafael Fiziev’s combinations that just stands out from everyone else at 155 lbs.
9 July 2022
Battle of the Rafaels
Fiziev shows he can defend takedowns & operate over four rounds. Scores the KO at the start of Round 5.
RDA is a hard man to KO, very impressive victory. pic.twitter.com/jh0ZQ66EMM
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) March 13, 2023
Even if you don’t follow kickboxing at all, Chingiz Allazov is a name to remember.
Chingiz Allazov is kickboxing’s most dangerous man pic.twitter.com/Q0Re7tF1jJ
— Blaine Henry (@BlaineHenryTFL) March 13, 2023
Random Land
Hit the comments with your worst baking/cooking accident! I remember throwing out pounds of icing after accidentally using salted butter to accompany my COVID cupcakes; it was disgusting.
— good reddit (@GoodReddit) March 14, 2023
Midnight Music: Dance pop, 2005
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.