Ryan Loco/PFL
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every quarantined night!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Earlier today, Professional Fighter’s League (PFL) announced that it would suspend its 2020 season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, hoping to return to action in May. In addition, PFL CEO Peter Murray explained that the athletes on the roster would be receiving a monthly stipend.
There’s an important addendum to that statement: the remaining athletes will receive a stipend. Per FloCombat writer Michael Fiedel, roughly one third of the PFL roster has been released.
Turns out the PFL has released roughly a third of its roster amid its response to COVID-19, which included the suspension of its 2020 season and monthly stipends for remaining fighters. https://t.co/wenZB2lvN7
— Michael Fiedel (@MichaelFiedel) April 22, 2020
This isn’t a knock on the PFL: I can only imagine how difficult it must be to operate a live events business without the ability to put on live events. The stipends are an admirable, progressive move. Just conspicuously absent from yesterday’s announcements.
— Michael Fiedel (@MichaelFiedel) April 22, 2020
MMABrasil explains further that PFL’s strategy is to “keep only the champions of the last edition and relevant fighters” like Rory MacDonald on the roster while releasing the rest. It’s tough to say where exactly that dividing line lies, but it’s probable that many who’ve only competed in the undercard and were not part of past tournaments are no longer on the PFL roster.
Insomnia
“Thug Nasty” has a spot on the hopefully-happening-but-maybe-not May 9th card.
See y’all at UFC 249 May 9th somewhere on earth. Bout agreement signed.
This shits happenin pic.twitter.com/1vSg87eH4k
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) April 21, 2020
Breaking news: Jordan Burroughs is strong as hell.
I know my boxing history well enough to understand the term “great white hope,” but someone will have to explain this one to me.
U the great white hype! I ain’t hard to find! You terrified of power. You watched paint dry against @YoelRomeroMMA & now u have the record for least amount of strikes. Fix that fake ass @BOOSIEOFFICIAL Box before he come looking for you! @ufc gone protect @stylebender too?! https://t.co/Rpec3rdKpA
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) April 21, 2020
I have more faith in this plan of holding the next event in Florida — anything goes down there.
Anthony Johnson is a terrifying individual.
Donald Cerrone lives up to his Red Dead Redemption reputation.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Both of these submissions were pretty slick, it’s a tough choice!
Heavyweight high kick KOs is a solid topic for a list:
This fight seemed like the dawn of a new era at Heavyweight, Then, we were all brutally reminded that being over-sized isn’t that great of an advantage. There is hope though — Francis Ngannou and Curtis Blaydes are the bigger than most Heavyweights but can still move.
Random Land
Yesterday, my gym buddy and former Olympic weightlifting coach Ben Claridad put forth a monumental effort to accomplish something goofy. At 4:20 P.M. on 4/20/2020, he squatted 420 lbs. for 20 reps. It was awesome:
Midnight Music: I saw this Tweet, and the decision was made.
Celebrate Iggy Pop’s 73rd birthday by listening to his long, lost cover of Sly & the Family Stone’s “Family Affair” which he recorded with @Bootsy_Collins: https://t.co/WkMQgQR86P pic.twitter.com/GAdxghEA4d
— Consequence of Sound (@consequence) April 21, 2020
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.