Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
How exactly does one respond from an abysmal title fight loss, one that leaves a hometown crowd devastated and fans around the globe at least a touch disappointed? In the case of Derrick Lewis, it would seem that turning around to face one of the division’s hottest up-and-comers is the ideal way to rebound.
Per a report from ESPN, UFC is targeting a Heavyweight main event between Lewis and rising knockout artist Chris Daukaus for December 18. It is important to note that Daukaus’ management has since revealed the bout is not yet finalized (another example of UFC announcing fights prior to the official signing, which pisses Al Iaquinta off).
Nothing has been finalized. We asked for more time as @ChrisDaukausMMA is focused on @KyleDaukaus fight week. https://t.co/ZVqqVXbvKo
— Empire Sports #ESM (@EmpireSM) September 28, 2021
All the same, Daukaus is 4-0 since joining the UFC roster in August 2020. The Philadelphia police officer won each of those bouts via knockout, including his most recent win just a couple nights ago at UFC 266 over Shamil Abdurakhimov (HIGHLIGHTS!). The jiu-jitsu black belt is already a ranked contender, though this is a major step up in competition.
Meanwhile, Lewis’ recent loss to Ciryl Gane has been mentioned, but prior to that defeat, Lewis was on a serious tear. The Texan had won four in a row, including a major victory over Curtis Blaydes that placed him in the divisional Top Three.
If this match up does indeed go down as planned, who ya’ got?
Insomnia
Speaking of “The Black Beast,” Derrick Lewis on Hot Ones is going to be must-watch entertainment.
Tyron Woodley is probably not getting the response he hoped for following his fresh ink.
Tyron Woodley: I got the tattoo guys! I was a man of my word, now it’s time for Jake Paul to do the same.
All 7 billion people on this earth: pic.twitter.com/laydSgzXti
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) September 27, 2021
you were saying? https://t.co/PPdaoLPeNb pic.twitter.com/dppRsFBsKo
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) September 27, 2021
So you left out the ‘LOVE’ part, and that’s written in pen, @TWooodley? Well played.
It looks like a tattoo your friend did when you were both drunk.
An embarrassing tattoo is one thing, but a bad embarrassing tattoo is a whole other. ??? https://t.co/xR7I7ObQQy
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) September 27, 2021
You’re trending because you’ve got @jakepaul tattooed on your finger.
Well done.
Congratulations on your championship success. I remember the crowds booing in appreciation as you wore your heel out against the fence, backing up and avoiding the fight. https://t.co/qcXljcDx6r
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) September 27, 2021
Tyron Woodley after Jake Paul rejects the rematch. pic.twitter.com/nW4Q0HHIJe
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) September 27, 2021
Lauren Murphy has perhaps the best, most honest response to a loss that I’ve ever seen — credit to her!
Giga Chikadze is shooting his shot to interrupt the Volkanovski-Holloway trilogy:
I actually do have some sympathy for Aljamain Sterling, who should not fight until he’s 100% ready … but yeah, the optics are not great.
Rafael dos Anjos wins this exchange (probably over Ali Abdelaziz) with at least two 10-8 scorecards.
Do you really think I would fake a surgery? Coming out of another terrible injury. Unlike you I have a family that depends on me and I don’t have another man paying my bills. https://t.co/PDvQ2rhZsq
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) September 26, 2021
Alexander Volkanovski will not let a five-round battle stop him from living his best life.
UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski is at the Raiders game with his belt and a giant foam finger. #OnlyVegas pic.twitter.com/8PuN7jZUVT
— Las Vegas Locally (@LasVegasLocally) September 26, 2021
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Just an absolutely brutal 3-2.
absolutely massive ko just now at #topdog. after getting dropped in 1st round too #bareknuckle pic.twitter.com/BPUKmpKKyM
— Matysek (@Matysek88) September 24, 2021
I’ve never heard of Tarciara Santos prior to this clip, but she’s throwing mean shots with good selection!
Tarciara Santos knocks out Larissa Kelly in R2 attacking the body before closing the show with an overhand right. #Future13 pic.twitter.com/0Bmfn2jOcS
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 25, 2021
Clay countered the underhook with real quickness here:
Lucas “Cassius” Clay submits Jake Kozorosky with a D’Arce choke at LFA 115. He’s now 8-1 with 3 finishes, all chokes. pic.twitter.com/t8Z5oVFDzu
— Will (@ChillemDafoe) September 25, 2021
Random Land
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the talent level on TikTok is unmatched by other social media platforms.
@brandondoesnothing Man on a mission #tiktokmemes #fyp #foryou #memes #joke #juggling #skill
Midnight Music: An unparalleled masterpiece …
On the weigh in show I lost a challenge and had to spin the wheel of misfortune and @laura_sanko asked me to sing the National anthem! Everyone put your hand over your heart and listen to me belt it out!! @ufc @felderpaul @dinthomas @danhellie pic.twitter.com/fSw8hIfj6j
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) September 27, 2021
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.