Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Last week, Dana White and UFC adamantly proclaimed for all to hear that the show would continue on, regardless of whether that meant venue changes or empty arenas. Cooler heads have since prevailed — or rather, government shutdowns and regulations forced them to — and the next three events have been postponed indefinitely.
However, in the case of Randa Markos, the damage may have already been done. Markos fought last Saturday (March 14, 2019) at the empty UFC Brasilia event, well after most sports organizations were called off. Traveling from Canada to Brazil is risky enough during a global pandemic, but chances of contracting the virus definitely increase when physically fighting another person, particularly when neither combatant has been tested.
While Markos has thankfully made the journey home, she is not feeling well and has not been able to receive a test for the virus.
Just made it home. Stopped by the coronavirus testing center and they wouldn’t test me. Long flights with a lot of people, not feeling great and I’m not a risk? Okay I guess I’ll be home for two weeks
— Randa Markos (@randamma) March 17, 2020
I just want to be safe. Things were way different from when I left to when I came back from the fights. News changes every hour.
— Randa Markos (@randamma) March 17, 2020
A lot of fans and pundits alike called for last week’s event to be canceled regardless of the audience situation, and this is a perfect example of why. Hopefully, Markos does not have the virus, but either way, her health is at risk, and she’s in a situation without real answers. Furthermore, the extremely contagious nature of the virus means that if Markos did contract it, many more were exposed in the last few days, potentially including her corner and opponent.
Stay tuned for any further updates from Markos and the rest of UFC Brasilia’s athletes.
Insomnia
Leon Edwards isn’t about to let Tyron Woodley abandon their fight so easily.
Tell that boy he can’t run from me his ass whooping is just delayed https://t.co/dLNf8OwHq3
— Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) March 16, 2020
Charles Oliveira, whether he ever captures a title or even fights for one, is a special fighter.
It’s official: this morning’s wrestling class was the last pro practice at Team Alpha Male for at least the next couple weeks. Elsewhere around the world, Thailand has officially closed Muay Thai gyms and stadiums, though as of about 24 hours ago, Tiger Muay Thai is still running with extra precautions.
Fair to say @tigermuaythai in Phuket hasn’t been hit too hard by the coronavirus crisis pic.twitter.com/3rJmdieYj0
— James Goyder (@JamesGoyder) March 13, 2020
Kai-Kara France points out perhaps the coolest option for whenever UFC returns!
It’s been done before…… #ufc248 pic.twitter.com/6qdHDrWlY9
— Kai Kara France (@kaikarafrance) March 16, 2020
John Dodson partners up with his wife to demonstrate a difficult quarantine fitness exercise!
It’s good to see Israel Adesanya’s sense of humor is intact after his lackluster win at UFC 248.
Happy Muay Thai day!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Click through for more than a dozen clips of Fedor Emelianenko in action — still the clear-cut greatest Heavyweight of all time!
Fedor vs Hiroya Takada pic.twitter.com/8SmMk6CM3K
— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) March 17, 2020
Another series of highlights from an all-time great:
It’s never a good look to let your opponent punch you in the face.
Random Land
This is technically a solo activity.
This weird water vehicle is half boat, half submarine pic.twitter.com/jiWs1K1sRl
— Mashable (@mashable) March 12, 2020
Midnight Music: Gerald Meerschaert is apparently a man of many talents!
2020 on some BS, enjoy this small break. pic.twitter.com/NbqJK192It
— Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) March 17, 2020
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.