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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
It’s unfortunate that some in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community believes Jeremy Stephens faked or exaggerated his injury. It’s one thing for fans to throw stones on Twitter — a reality that no public figure can escape — but it’s far more disappointing to see a fellow professional lower himself.
Enter “The Eraser.”
Shameful. Stephen’s don’t deserve UFC pic.twitter.com/JHeeQRErEX
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 22, 2019
It’s odd that Costa is so certain of Stephens’ cowardice — even a minor poke to the eye is debilitating, a feeling Costa has surely experienced at some point. Anyone with a bit of common sense knows that Jeremy Stephens did not want to spend $30k and six weeks away from his family only to have his main event opportunity end in 15 seconds. Furthermore, Stephens has the second most fights in UFC history. He’s a 12-year vet of the world’s toughest promotion. He’s been the nail in many fights, taking pretty absurd amounts of damage while still trying to swing for the knockout.
Simply put, “Lil Heathen” is not a quitter in any way. If anyone deserves to be shamed, it’s the man who scratched both of Stephens’ eyes with a fearsome cat swipe.
Insomnia
Let’s reiterate: Stephens ain’t no punk.
Jeremy Stephens: I’ve never been cut from the UFC from backing out of fights, just remember that. #HelwaniShow
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) September 23, 2019
Diaz vs. Masvidal is going to be a truly great moment for a lot of reasons.
Masvidal to @arielhelwani on Nate Diaz: “I see another Latin kid that man, this was his way out, the way to generate money, to generate income and not do nothing crazy. … You can see that trauma when he fights that he’s willing to push through the pain and fatigue like a dog.”
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) September 23, 2019
Tito is a legendary wordsmith.
Tito Ortiz > Henry Cejudo pic.twitter.com/JboUTSqUrZ
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) September 23, 2019
“No Love” finished his back piece.
Perry is back to work after his honeymoon, training his forward pressure without getting out of stance on the treadmill.
But does it work???
Do my eyes deceive me or is this Louis Smolka taking a chomp on Tim Elliott’s forearm?
Mendes ain’t looking so “mini.”
“The Black Beast” did not tell me if “he’s ok,” and I’m worried.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I believe our current Sumo session is coming to an end soon, so savor the remarkable acceleration now:
Mitakeumi is the 3rd man in the yusho race going into the final day pic.twitter.com/Rnvz9ZJuB9
— MEGATON (Kai Asakura vs Tenshin @ RIZIN 19) (@BasedDongeezus) September 22, 2019
Here’s some bare knuckle savagery from Ken Shamrock’s new promotion. Getting punched by Lavar Johnson was to be avoided in the cage, and that remained true in this pit as well.
James McSweeney vs Lavar Johnson #ValorBK #ValorBK1 One punched! pic.twitter.com/tKaiR8pfAj
— ZombieProphet (@GIFsZP) September 22, 2019
Askhabov and his brother both train at Team Alpha Male for extended visits, and those two can THROW people with remarkable consistency.
That was quick. Khusein Askhabov (now 20-0) guillotines Luiz Filho less than 90 seconds into R1 #WWFC pic.twitter.com/H4bu1ucD5M
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 21, 2019
Random Land
Philly sports fans aren’t too intense, others are simply too soft.
The most Philly soundbite goes to this guy who helped catch children thrown from a window during a fire. pic.twitter.com/3rH69gU2fL
— Steve Lindsay CBS (@SteveLindsayCBS) September 23, 2019
Midnight Music: My Discover Weekly included the live version of LCD Soundsystem’s classic closer “New York, I love you but you’re bringing me down” — it’s even more of an absolute jam than the original.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.