Midnight Mania! Poirier At Risk Of Replacement Vs. McGregor

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Dustin Poirier’s contract dispute problems continue. Per a report from ESPN, his planned bout with Conor McGregor is all but set. The only lingering issue comes from “The Diamond” himself, who is still not happy with his UFC contract. As a result, the McGregor fight is at risk … for Poirier.

Per Ariel Helwani’s sources, UFC is willing to look at other options. Their primary choice in replacement would be Justin Gaethje, though it’s believed McGregor may not be interested after the “sh*t human, father, and husband” comments from “The Highlight.” Even if that first choice is unavailable, UFC is willing to search further down the rankings if necessary.

It’s an unfortunate situation. Dustin Poirier has lived up to his “pain in full” mantra over the years, routinely digging deep to win blood-and-guts battles, before and after his interim title win. “The Diamond” deserves his pay raise, and a second bout with McGregor makes a ton of sense. It’s the perfect fight to reintroduce “Notorious” to the Lightweight title picture, the type of win that could legitimately earn him a world title (or at least title shot).

Yet, it might not happen, even though there’s not a better fight to make. Hopefully, negotiations work out, and the high-profile fight happens on January 23.

Insomnia

This speech from Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will surely help you crush the new week (NSFW warning).

Further motivation and advice from Georges St. Pierre … though it’s less funny.

This weekend’s UFC card losing the one fight that really mattered is a huge bummer, but Paul Felder stepping up is a heroic moment.

“The one fight that mattered” aside, my team mate Cory McKenna debuts this weekend and is a super hard worker. Keep an eye out!

Mike Perry takes a shot at Darren TIll after his rival was forced to withdraw from his bout vs. Jack Hermansson.

Glover Teixeira chin may have faded a bit with age, but that man’s heart is undeniable.

Some body builder volunteered to let Stephen Thompson destroy his leg, and the outcome was … predictable.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

A jump knee produces a gnarly cut.

Mohammed Mutie walked to the cage in a gorilla suit and then pummeled his opponent from top position — peak MMA!

Sergei Kharitonov may be 40 years old, but the Russian puncher still knocks opponents flat with real consistency.

Random Land

Ouch!

Midnight Music: I am staying and training with Joseph Benavidez for the week, and he’s ultra passionate about music too, so I’m putting him in charge of the selections this week. Here’s the first!

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.