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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
After weeks and weeks of mystique, the details around UFC 249 have finally been solidified. The modified fight card will go down from inside the Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, California. That’s the longtime home of Tachi Palace Fights promotion, an arena that also held many of the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) events.
Last month, California banned all public events and suspended combat sports activity. However, Tachi Palace Resort is an Indian reservation, subject to its own authority. As a result, the fights can go on … without an overseeing body.
The California Athletic Commission — likely the most proactive commission in the sport — will not be overseeing the event. The CSAC released the following statement per NY Times, “The commission echoes the guidance of California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Department of Public Health, local health officials, and the recommendations of the Association of Ringside Physicians regarding the cancellation of events where people may be at risk of contracting Covid-19 and encourages the industry to do the same. The commission will not participate in the U.F.C. event on April 18, regardless of the event location.”
Ultimately, it’s not a decision that will prevent UFC 249. UFC has acted as its own athletic commission previously in locations without one, such as Singapore. However, it is an example of UFC skirting guidelines and regulations — pretty much the opposite of the reputation that UFC has been trying to build for years.
Insomnia
Since the news of Dana White’s private island potentially hosting fights has broken, the Mortal Kombat, Enter The Dragon, and Fyre Festival references have been popping off.
Welcome to Mortal Kombat @ufc pic.twitter.com/sYnT7cLbWY
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) April 7, 2020
The battle wounds of Stipe Miocic:
Muay Thai champion Eddie Abasolo compares crossing someone over in basketball to kickboxing footwork:
… probably a better use for the space given the whole pandemic thing.
We already know the next UFC events will happen at either a yet-to-be-announced U.S. venue or some random island, but the government of São Paulo confirmed to me they will build a field hospital at the sports complex where UFC 250 was expected to go down on May 9.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) April 7, 2020
It’s worth listening to Anthony Smith walk through the home intruder incident. Scary stuff!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I’ll be honest, I don’t think I even knew this fight happened, let alone actually watch it. A pair of bad dudes from an oft forgotten era!
Frank Trigg goes Pride rules on Mayhem Miller in Hawaii – Icon Sport pic.twitter.com/xzH6s3SiTX
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 5, 2020
Throwback to Rose Namajunas legendary flying armbar! “Thug Rose” is still set to rematch Jessica Andrade at UFC 249.
Rose Namajunas moved to 2-0 when submitted Kathina Catron with a ridiculous flying armbar just 12 seconds into their fight, seven years ago today. After the win Namajunas lost her mind. #UFC #Invicta
pic.twitter.com/3mzDTGcGG3— Jon Realejo (@BloodyCanvasJon) April 5, 2020
Back at PRIDE 28, the world learned Aleksander Emelianenko was not a man to charge aggressively.
The Colossus vs. Aleksander – PRIDE 28 pic.twitter.com/AZc9e75MXU
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 5, 2020
Random Land
Nature is intense!
Midnight Music: Jazz fans looking for a new face? Give Kamasi Washington a shot.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.