Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Retired UFC Lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov’s year has been a complicated one. Though his athletes continue to find unprecedented success around the globe, Nurmagomedov was dealt a substantial blow by the Russian government, which froze his bank accounts and seized his collection of luxury cars over a unpaid tax bill totaling $3.4 million.
Conor McGregor, naturally, took great joy in his former opponent’s suffering. Regardless, Nurmagomedov paid off the bill just about a week ago, so there will be no need for a UFC comeback or quick boxing match in Riyadh.
Perhaps there’s more to the story? In a recent interview, top-ranked Bellator contender Alexandr Shabliy — who is scheduled to face Bellator Lightweight champion and Khabib trainee Usman Nurmagomedov on Sept. 7 — weighed in on the real reason behind Khabib’s tax issues. The Russian clearly picked his words carefully, but he explained that political disagreements were the root cause of Khabib’s frozen accounts and assets seizure.
“In general, this situation is connected with the fact that it wasn’t just that it turned out that Khabib had some unpaid taxes. This is a situation of counterbalance between the country and Khabib. Khabib did not support the political decisions of the state, and in response, the state — as in response to many bloggers who pursued opposition policies and did not support the government’s position — took such measures. I think that it is no secret that our state has a tough policy and controls the resources that it has.”
Video where Shabliy talks about Khabib tax problems. Basically, he confirms here that it has a political background. I assume it has to do with Khabib’s stance on war. pic.twitter.com/pRZ4sqqaFJ
— BT (@tinasla3) August 22, 2024
What political disagreements? Khabib may be buddy-buddy with Russian president Vladimir Putin, but “The Eagle” has also spoken out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In fact, he specifically asked former US President Donald Trump to stop the bloodshed when the two met at a UFC event. Of course, Shabliy didn’t name the war specifically, but it’s hard to imagine a different political disagreement causing the retired champion so many problems.
Even for MMA legends, Russian politics can be a dangerous scene.
Insomnia
Renan Ferreira denies the idea that he was talking trash in reference to Francis Ngannou’s deceased son.
I just want to make something clear. @francisngannou is a great man & i respect him. When i said that i was going to be his biggest
this year i was talking about Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury, not about his family. I am a father myself
— RenanProblemaMMA (@MmaProblema) August 23, 2024
I’d love to know the backstory here. A friendly embrace capped off by a cheap shot? There has to be some drama involved.
MMA athlete sucker punches opponent after referee raises wrong hand
pic.twitter.com/fbRDKoeWMi— Restricted Vids (@RestrictedVids) August 22, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis remains undefeated in bantering with UFC fighters, current or former.
I would destroy Izzy & DDP @BlockBetGG @block pic.twitter.com/suFA1orvmP
— DT (@darrentill2) August 20, 2024
Yea but you got cut (voluntarily)
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) August 22, 2024
Jon Jones demonstrates how much he doesn’t care about social media talk by destroying his phone then posting it on social media.
Jon Jones just threw his phone into his swimming pool pic.twitter.com/czBWYlsCUG
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) August 22, 2024
On a related note, Stipe Miocic denies the injury rumors.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) August 23, 2024
Weight classes are imaginary.
Former heavyweight and a former featherweight. pic.twitter.com/wse0f9PWTs
— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) August 22, 2024
Every clip I see of Russian TUF seems to confirm it’s a better watch than our version.
In the Russian version of TUF they fight teammates just to keep in shape
[HardcoreFighting/IG] pic.twitter.com/gLJz117PAP
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 22, 2024
Muhammad Mokaev wrecked his car but is thankfully okay.
Alhamdulillah
I’m well, out from hospital
Thank u for the support!??I have been tested on high level at this stage of my career and I will be back stronger InshaAllah! pic.twitter.com/FGmkOALgz5
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) August 22, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Carlos Prates has such a slick style of striking, he makes the most of a really long reach while staying very aggressive.
I need Prates in UFC 5 NOW pic.twitter.com/LNjSFT1UGT
— K.S ?? (@KS_MMA_) August 19, 2024
Name a better uppercut?
The perfect uppercut doesn’t exi.. pic.twitter.com/NpgjutFIi3
— juleslovesboxing (@itsjules007) August 22, 2024
Gerald Meerschaert already was deep into his career by the time he joined the UFC roster, but that didn’t stop “GM3” from picking up a bunch of submissions inside the Octagon!
Random Land
I should feel bad for the gators but I cannot stop laughing at the idea of chasing off a horde of crocodiles with a shovel.
“Gros ça se passe comment ton nouveau taff ?”
Le nouveau taff : pic.twitter.com/Hvau0jxHwq— Tweetinades (@tintinades) August 21, 2024
Midnight Music: Punk, 1978
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.