Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
2024 might just be the year of Alex Pereira.
“Poatan” picked up his second Light Heavyweight title defense over the weekend by knocking out Jiri Prochazka (watch here), stepping up on short-notice to save the UFC 303 fight card … not long after he stepped up to headline UFC 300 with an equally devastating KO! Pereira has headlined two of the year’s most high-profile cards to massive results, building himself into one of the sport’s biggest stars in the last six months.
It’s certainly been a very lucrative year so far.
Perhaps Pereira isn’t done adding to his legacy in 2024? Prior to UFC 303, Pereira spoke about taking a couple months off, because he has been fighting at a very hectic pace by elite MMA standards. He may have changed his plans, however, as Pereira is already back in the gym! In the video above, Pereira spars in a controlled fashion with his partner, as well as doing other live technical drills like trading combo-for-combo.
Maybe October against Magomed Ankalaev is a possibility? Pereira barely took a shot against Prochazka, and by his standards, a trip to Abu Dhabi in the fall isn’t that quick of a turnaround.
The other interesting angle here is that Pereira is possibly medically suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). The UFC 303 medical suspension information hasn’t been publicly released yet, but it’s fairly standard for commissions to advise no contact for a week even in clear-cut, punishment-free victories like Pereira’s knockout win over Prochazka.
Maybe they’re aware “Poatan” is simply built different.
Insomnia
I’m now fully a believer in Alex Pereira magic, “Poatan” power, and his Light Heavyweight reign. I’m done picking against him. Pereira forever.
PROOF OF POATAN MAGIC: Alex Pereira makes eye contact with Jiri Prochazka, causing Jiri to DIE. Chama is real. #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/YTZtEoPG7N
— Think 1st (@DaKontradiction) June 30, 2024
Do we get a knockout or the worst fight of the night? Classic undercard Heavyweight MMA booking.
Junior Tafa will fight Valter Walker at #UFC305 on August 17th. (first rep. @VestnikMMA) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/Az7d11q3vL
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) June 30, 2024
Regardless of intent, this quote is hilariously disrespectful. Renato Moicano is really good! He has better wins than Turner by a fair margin!
Jalin Turner reveals that he nearly retired after his #UFC300 loss to Renato Moicano.
? – “Like no offense, but to lose to HIM.
You know what i’m saying? I’m not discrediting him in any way.
I just truly felt in my heart, that I was a better martial artist [than he was].… pic.twitter.com/JqT14UPed7
— MMA Frenzy (@mma_frenzy) June 30, 2024
Mark Hunt does not have strong expectations for the UFC Sphere.
Dana White says September’s show at Sphere will be UFC’s biggest gate ever and the “greatest sporting event of all time”
“This will never, ever be replicated. Nobody will ever do this again. It won’t make sense for anybody. It’s just too much money.” pic.twitter.com/EKDNyvYSpR
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) June 30, 2024
@danawhite u wont be making it to this event by sept u will be in jail bitch
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) June 30, 2024
A great show of respect from Dan Ige and Diego Lopes.
Love you all. Not every day you get to dare to do something great. @Diegolopesmma you’re a stud. Not many people would do what you did, especially what you went through the last 24 hours. I’m glad we got to elevate each other and make history. See you guys soon #4hours pic.twitter.com/gvB2DCYVDG
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) June 30, 2024
We are in history bro. It’s a pleasure to share this moment with you. Thanks
— Diego Lopes (@Diegolopesmma) June 30, 2024
Sean Strickland beating up a tired sparring partner:
Sean Strickland showed NO MERCY to his sparring partner
@jakeshieldsajj #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/w4nhzq55vp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 1, 2024
Some fight fans need a second hobby.
Real. I’ve had Mma “fans” wish that my family & I would die poor. It’s not the words that get to you. It’s the constant harassment. After the TUF finale, people were finding my xbox gamertag and messaging me to kms https://t.co/mIMfpgR7tB
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) July 1, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Good read on the uppercut, Bigdash was ducking when met with the cross.
Leonardo Silva spoils the ACA debut of Vitaly Bigdash, flattening the former ONE champ with an uppercut in R3. Huge KO for the Brazilian. #ACA177 pic.twitter.com/u1XFMhAYKS
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 28, 2024
Left hand counter shot completely finished this fight; the rest of the combo was just for show.
OUT COLD A devastating combination from @jamesmcgivern17 #QuinnKelsall | Tonight | #BelfastBrawl pic.twitter.com/LOt5pwZF5C
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) June 28, 2024
At 16-0 with 13 stoppage wins, just how good is Magomed Umalatov?
MAGOMED UMALATOV CLINCHES A #PFLPLAYOFFS BERTH!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
ESPNU & ESPN+
https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/AIugWXRSCq— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 29, 2024
Random Land
I genuinely didn’t know ouroboros was more than a symbol, something that happened in reality.
Using hand sanitizer to prevent a snake from swallowing itself pic.twitter.com/IkW14OpbOS
— Nature is Amazing ?? (@AMAZlNGNATURE) June 29, 2024
Midnight Music: Soft rock, 1970
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.