Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Following a January arrest and a pair of felony charges of attempted first degree murder with a deadly weapon, UFC Bantamweight Irwin Rivera was released from custody earlier today following a decision from a Palm Beach County Judge. ESPN Deportes provided the first report and court details, while MMAFighting confirmed Rivera’s release with the Palm Beach Sheriff’s office.
Rivera pled not guilty, citing insanity. He was granted a conditional release provided Rivera continues his bipolar medication, therapy, and remains under permanent supervision by his friends and family. When initially arrested, Rivera explained to police that he had been instructed by a “higher power” and been given the purpose of killing his sisters, the stabbing victims.
Court documents revealed a large amount of support for Rivera’s rehabilitation. His two sisters, the stabbing victims, came out in support of Rivera almost immediately, and they spoke on his behalf in court. Rivera’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, also provided a written statement, while team mates Gilbert Burns and Sean Soriano offered to supervise the newly released Rivera. Doctors testified that Rivera’s actions were the results of an “acute episode of psychosis,” and testified that his condition has since stabilized.
All three of Irwin’s UFC bouts took place in 2020. He lost a short-notice debut opposite Giga Chikadze before splitting a pair of decisions to Andre Ewell and Ali AlQaisi. After his arrest, UFC released a statement promising to monitor the situation closely before offering Rivera any future fights, but at this time of writing, he is still technically a member of the UFC Bantamweight roster.
Insomnia
While I have no insight to offer about Donald Cerrone’s supposed mushroom use, I do know several fighters who micro dose prior to workouts on a fairly regular basis. I’m sure it happens for real fights too!
Gregor Gillespie vs. Arman Tsarukyan is not looking likely.
self proclaimed best wrestler in the division is worried that he will be outwrestled in our match, otherwise I don’t know what is the hold up and why he didn’t accept the offer yet
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) October 19, 2021
This is a cliché statement that’s always likely to backfire, but … someone is getting knocked out!
VIOLENCE incoming.
Joaquin Buckley vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan is in the works for January 15, per @MayerMeni pic.twitter.com/LWltfInxga
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) October 20, 2021
An update to UFC Vegas 41:
BREAKING
Mason Jones vs. David Onama this Saturday at #UFCVegas41. https://t.co/dr2AqBfVvv
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) October 19, 2021
Joanna Jedrzejczyk ranks highly among the most violent blue belts on the planet.
For some reason, I think either Yana Kunitskaya or Thiago Santos are next up from the ATT roster to appear on AEW …
How’s everyone feel about the Aspen Ladd corner controversy? I don’t have a problem with an angry corner, but from my outside perspective, she looked closer to tears rather than all fired up afterward.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Getting blasted by an uppercut while barely alive and leaning against the Octagon fence never looks fun.
Armen Petrosyan put his opponent to sleep and brought Dana White to his feet #DWCS pic.twitter.com/q5hOilJQzY
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 20, 2021
The rare inside shoulder look from within the triangle choke:
THE ANIMAL COMES BACK FROM THE DEAD!!!#FuryFC52 pic.twitter.com/ykulcg0TxW
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) October 17, 2021
IMO: up kicks should always be allowed, regardless of whether or not the knee is down.
Random Land
Some dude on the Internet keeps pouring molten aluminum on stuff, and now he’s famous on TikTok.
Midnight Music: There are many great stages to the career of Miles Davis, but his fusion period draws me back the most.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.