Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Nobody can be too confident in the future of the Lightweight belt.
Islam Makhachev has a strong grip on the title, that much is certain, but who will be next to try to pry it from him after a pair of challenges from Alexander Volkanovski? As Makhachev has been beating back the Aussie, the Lightweight division has been building deserving contenders. Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan — three top-ranked and incredibly talented Lightweights coming off vicious knockout wins! “Do Bronx” was supposed to rematch Makhachev in October, but a nasty cut delayed that whole process.
The question remains: who is Makhachev fighting next?
Fight fans online have a theory. Ever vigilant online, fans noticed that both Oliveira and Tsarukyan are simultaneously posting about a return to action. Of particular interest is Arman Tsarukyan’s caption, which reads, “Big news is coming.” It also happens to be on the same day as when Gaethje is tweeting about Oliveira missing his opportunity and how he’s next-in-line …
Hmm. pic.twitter.com/f1zIFu8Zi2
— Aj (@AjDuxche) December 26, 2023
Fans on Twitter are already predicting the unannounced and unconfirmed match up of Top Five-ranked Lightweights.
Worried for Charles but I think he’d win
Oliveira wins this easily, he beats Arman everywhere
Oliveira fighting all the contenders Makachev should be
I genuinely think Arman beats him and I know I’ll get cooked for having that take
Oliveria will hurt arman on feet by kick followed by punches and when arman hurt, oliveria will catch submission,I predict round 2 finish by Oliveria, Arman should be able to beat oliveria but I think bright lights and less experience will overwhelm arman
It’ll probably be Arman vs. Oliveira next. Dustin or Gaethje are not fighting Arman so it makes sense.
Again, the match up is currently unofficial (despite a handful of random accounts claiming otherwise without any source). With Makhachev expressing interest in facing a new opponent, however, it does make plenty of sense, and UFC 300 still needs some serious star power if it’s going to live up to the hype.
Insomnia
Hot take alert: pineapple, pepperoni, and jalapeños is an elite pizza topping combo.
The most simple things can bring the most happiness! pic.twitter.com/w3PHn0KB7U
— JOSH EMMETT (@JoshEmmettUFC) December 26, 2023
In before Paulo Costa pulls out of his fighter versus Robert Whittaker for “tax reasons.”
I don’t like to fight in California cause tax are so high. @ufc can u pay on Bitcoins? @cryptocom ?
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) December 23, 2023
Sean O’Malley was quite a gentleman in this sparring session.
Sean O’Malley doing some very light sparring with comedian Andrew Schultz pic.twitter.com/3mQZxQMawp
— ??? ?????s ? (@mmamarcuss) December 25, 2023
Speaking of “Suga,” here’s Aljamain Sterling elaborating further on last night’s story:
Context: In hindsight, I should’ve waited.
Reality: I didn’t wait. Numbers weren’t the highest PPV I been on as a Champ.
Reality: Not my worse PPV pay, but the rush was NOT worth the squeeze in the end.
O’Malley PPV draw power can rise IF he can keep winning- but… https://t.co/eXuC6UxbrV
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 26, 2023
Dan Hooker fires back at Islam Makhachev and company …
Thread….
CKB & NZ fighters that have ever been caught taking steroids pic.twitter.com/03dvyjJBsC
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) December 26, 2023
None…..thread over
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) December 26, 2023
This is very juvenile, but then, that’s the door Colby Covington’s dumb trash talk opens, is it not?
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 26, 2023
An important fact I was unaware of.
Alistair Overeem was in the music video for Sexy and I Know It ?????? pic.twitter.com/lzpovVsJ5y
— Casual MMA (@casualmmainc) December 26, 2023
This is one of those fight bookings I could have swore already happened.
Andre Petroski will take on Jakob Malkoun at #UFCAtlanticCity on March 30th.
[per @PetroskiAndre]#UFCAtlanticCity #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/rQCuqDv7va— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 26, 2023
Slips, rips, and KO clips
If it works once, it’ll probably work twice. If it works twice, it’ll probably work four times, right?
Thananchai with the quadruple uppercut. #RWS pic.twitter.com/GD6mXiFYhO
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) December 23, 2023
Reminder: Albert Tumenov was cut off a loss to LEON EDWARDS! “Einstein” has always been really good.
Damnnnnnn. Albert Tumenov caps off a spectacular performance with a vicious KO over Ustarmagomed Gadzhidaudov in the dying seconds of the fight. And once again ACA Welterweight champ. Wow #ACA168 pic.twitter.com/oNWPGlmBem
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 24, 2023
Punch-kick is the classic, but kicking into the 1-2 can work wonderfully also.
Nadaka Yoshinari ends the year with another crushing KO and one more title to his already impressive collection. pic.twitter.com/2PwXEhIRiI
— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) December 24, 2023
Random Land
Today, I learned wild yaks are scary.
Defenders of the Tibetan Plateau, the wild Tibetan Yak ?????????????? pic.twitter.com/Tpi83lkj6Z
— YellowRiver 478@folks (@Yellowriver478) December 24, 2023
Midnight Music: I am shocked to report that T-Pain’s new live album is incredible. Who knew the king of autotune could sing with such soul?!?
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.