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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
The Welterweight division has been busy. The match ups available are intriguing enough to justify an unprecedented “BMF” belt — even if Ben Henderson doesn’t like it — between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. Tyron Woodley is twiddling his thumbs asking for a rematch that isn’t going to happen, while Leon Edwards and has eight-fight win streak has gotten lost in the mix.
Yet the two-top dogs right now at 170 lbs. are clearly Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, who both have done pretty incredible work in their current win streaks. Despite their mutual success, getting the two in the cage with each other has proven very difficult, though no party is willing to accept any of the blame.
Luckily, reports are emerging that Usman Vs. Covington is finally close to being booked at UFC 245 on December 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Per @arielhelwani on The MMA Reporters podcast, the UFC are closing in on booking Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington for UFC 245. It would be one of three title bouts on the card.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 25, 2019
If confirmed, the Welterweight title would be the third and heaviest title on the line, as UFC 245 also sees Max Holloway vs. Alexander Volkanovski and Amanda Nunes vs. Germaine de Randamie. A third title fight would bolster an already strong card into a must-see event, as the three title bouts individually may not be the most marquee of the year, but they add up to quite a night of combat sports.
Now, let’s all keep our fingers crossed that closing negotiations go smoothly.
Insomnia
At least the rematch is finally confirmed!
I would love to see Cory Sandhagen answer Yan’s challenge.
Speedy recovery to @funkmasterMMA but with him being out there’s no question who is #1 contender in the division now! If you don’t agree I’m the next in line you can fight me on UFC 245 https://t.co/v1yk37mhiI
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) September 25, 2019
Does this qualify as an optical illusion? If nothing else, it’s plenty weird!
Some great reflections from a legend:
Has Georges St. Pierre’s relationship with the extra terrestrial improved???
Gillian Robertson doesn’t appreciate being overlooked by her upcoming opponent.
Michael Chandler and his absurd athleticism are it again!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
While it’s much tougher to get away with that type of kick in MMA due to the threat of the takedown, the total commitment on the left kick below is awesome to watch.
I admittedly have predicted against Gunnar Nelson ahead of his bout in Denmark, but there can be no doubting that the man is a smooth operator.
Who’s ready for the return of “Lumpinee Rountree?”
Random Land
Add this to the list of amazing locations I had never previously heard of:
Office supplies > paint brushes.
Midnight Music: Welp, I’ve officially been writing Midnight Mania long enough that I have genuinely no idea if I’ve previously posted this artist/song/album. At any rate, Townes Van Zandt was a remarkable songwriter who only received his deserved acclaim posthumously. His 1969 self-titled release is a perfect starting point.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.