Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Noche UFC was a major hit last year, but the follow-up will be even bigger.
UFC CEO Dana White is in the midst of writing a $16 million love letter — and counting! — to Mexican fighters, fans, and fighting spirit. Also known as UFC 306, the second annual Noche UFC event will take place in the Las Vegas Sphere and will be held on Mexican Independence Day and feature some of the promotion’s top Mexican talent.
Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili — who sort of represents Mexico, depending on who you ask — is rumored as the main event. The pay-per-view (PPV) event will be a one-and-done showcase in the expensive and uniquely formatted sphere, so the card should be expected to go above and beyond average PPV calibre.
In the clip above, the UFC logo adorns the outside of the Sphere venue for the first time. The artwork surrounding the UFC logo is quite reminiscent of Yair Rodriguez’s interim title belt, which received a special Mexican makeover. It remains to be seen just how UFC utilizes the Sphere’s unique graphics to compliment live fighting competition or the PPV feed, but fans can expect big name fight announcements sooner than later.
Of course, those fighters don’t always end up making it to the cage …
Insomnia
UFC Denver loses ANOTHER fight after both Mike Malott and his opponent Gilbert Urbina suffer injuries.
#UFCDenver Update
See you all soon, appreciate all the love and support. #MMA #Proper #TheMilitia #UFC pic.twitter.com/CkeC09AzOL
— Mike Malott (@Michael_Malott) June 26, 2024
Fortunately, UFC Denver may also have a new match up. Shara Magomedov calls out Kevin Holland, and “Trailblazer” says he’s down!
Last thing on UFC Denver: Two Lightweight sluggers both need new opponents …
@naz_mma I’m available July 13th. Let’s put on a show @seanshelby @ufc #UFCDenver https://t.co/JhkmUmG5IM
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) June 26, 2024
Payton Talbott is approaching historical levels of hype.
On pace to potentially being the biggest betting favourite in UFC history.
Massive line movement https://t.co/EOckkfAG1E pic.twitter.com/qEeUyCb3Mn
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 26, 2024
It’s quite cool to see the amount of support and love Alex Pereira gets from his people.
Chieftain Ubiranan and the Pataxó people will come together today to pray for Alex Pereira ahead of his UFC 303 title defense vs. Jiri Prochazka. pic.twitter.com/WwHt4OeOZI
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) June 26, 2024
I expect a bounce back performance and striking showcase from Slava here.
Viacheslav Borshchev will fight James Llontop at #UFCVegas96 on August 24th. (first rep. Mr. Heckelberry @MikeHeck_JR) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/L21LLd8wCS
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) June 26, 2024
Jiri Prochazka is 1) unintentionally hilarious and 2) woefully uninformed about his own division. I love it!
“He fought Johnny Walker? OK.”
Jiri Prochazka’s reaction to the idea of Magomed Ankalaev getting a title shot vs. the #UFC303 winner. pic.twitter.com/ldvuwenA6P
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 26, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop leg in a women’s MMA fight.
The most brutal women’s MMA KO you will see pic.twitter.com/xLZYJ4MiO4
— Rob Brown Betting (@RobBrownBetting) June 23, 2024
Is it crazier to try to knock out your older, legendary mentor or your younger, highly talented protege? True weirdness over in Japan!
Chihiro Suzuki vs. Takanori Gomi highlights from their exhibition boxing bout last night
(via @UNEXT_fight) pic.twitter.com/sVzE59SWb6
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) June 23, 2024
This kind of KO in an LFA title shot probably equals a UFC signing or at least Contenders Series opportunity.
Azamat Bekoev KO!!! #LFA186 pic.twitter.com/flBwXxqX0R
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) June 23, 2024
Random Land
A rolling boulder.
Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1989
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.