Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Yesterday, streaking Argentinian knockout artist, Santiago Ponzinibbio, announced on Instagram that he was in recovery from an emergency surgery. Afterward, he informed MMA Junkie that the cause of his illness was a bacterial infection, which caused him to spend a week in the hospital.
It’s a rough turn of events for Ponzinibbio, who is currently on an absolutely massive tear. “Gente Boa” has won seven straight, including a brutal four-round shellacking of Neil Magny back in Nov. 2018. Since then, Ponzinibbio has been gunning for another highly ranked foe.
This setback is the latest in bad luck for Ponzinibbio. In the past, a potential main event match up with Kamaru Usman fell apart when the Argentinian’s hand broke. In addition, Ponzinibbio has unsuccessfully been chasing a showdown with former champion Rafael dos Anjos for some time, but neither match up has come to fruition.
Hopefully, Ponzinibbio can heal up and return to what he does best quickly (smashing folks with his piston of a right hand).
Insomnia
Anthony Smith is the proud owner of perhaps the worst hand break I’ve seen in years of following this sport.
X-ray of Anthony Smith’s hand.#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/SUUZbZ7IQP
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) June 3, 2019
Jessice Eye is a devout student of the Tito Ortiz School of Trash Talk.
“If you think I have holes, you might just fall in a hole.” — Jessica Eye #UFC238 pic.twitter.com/3Ej7bAWxxd
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) June 4, 2019
Japanese MMA does its own thing with no shame, and I love it.
Also look at this DEEP JEWELS 24 poster #DEEPJEWELS pic.twitter.com/3tZDXScWbr
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 4, 2019
Jimi Manuwa is the latest from last weekend’s event to retire following his loss… Who ends up in Bellator first?
Fresh off Khabib Nurmagomedov’s profitable new deal signing, we finally have a Lightweight title fight booked. Here’s hoping both men remain healthy during their camps!
Tai Tuivasa approaches the fight game with the correct level of seriousness.
Dominick Cruz’s footwork will be copied for a long time to come, but it’s unlikely to ever truly be replicated.
Slips, Rips, and KO clips
For fans of straightforward, no-nonsense kickboxing violence, this clip is an absolute must-watch.
I’ve commentated 6,000+ fights. This may be the BEST. Strap yourself in for the AWESOMENESS. What can top this? @joerogan @yodchatri @danawhite @MichaelJaiWhite @patmiletich @SugarRaySefo @rtemike @MightyMouse @MieshaTate @JRsBBQ @robinblackmma @AlBernstein @Grishamfight @CMPunk pic.twitter.com/neAYIb0GbI
— MichaelSchiavello PM (@SchiavelloVOICE) June 4, 2019
Such a crazy combination of factors went into this moment: Bisping’s relatively recent and late-career boxing improvements, Rockhold’s overconfidence (largely based on how easily he dispatched Bisping the first time), and the short-notice nature of the whole thing.
Three years ago, the legend of Left Hook Larry was born @bisping pic.twitter.com/NfiYmLPFI8
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 4, 2019
Spinning sh*t for life.
Random Land
Everyone say a prayer for “El Cucuy’s” health right up until he steps into the Octagon.
An eagle more intimidating than the Dagestani variety.
Music from the making of Midnight Mania! Denzel Curry is one of the best rappers out right now. His new album Zuu came out last week, but this track is from his 2018 LP TA13OO.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.