Midnight Mania: See You Soon Boi?!?

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Over the weekend (Sat., Nov. 23, 2024), former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero return to action in the debut event of Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing promotion, scoring a a vicious knockout win over Power Slap veteran Duane Crespo (watch it). The victory is Romero’s second of 2024, as he defeated Thiago Santos back in February at the PFL vs. Bellator event. At 47 years of age, the former Olympic wrestling silver medalist is clearly still a game competitor.

Perhaps that makes him the ideal next opponent for Jake Paul? We know “The Problem Child” likes boxing with older MMA fighters, and Romero fits that bill well. “The Soldier of God” certainly likes the match up, asking Paul online if he “wants to get ditty.” One assumes The Cuban meant “dirty” rather than “Diddy,” but it’s the same challenge either way.

There’s one potential problem: Paul also generally likes to be bigger than his opponents (at least when they’re not 58). Romero, however, is still incredibly jacked and has been fighting at 205 pounds.

Seeing as Paul is targeting the biggest fights possible against the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Conor McGregor, Romero isn’t likely to be his first choice regardless. Still, if those big fish remain out of his reach, there are worse options for him than the Cuban, who remains a world-class athlete despite his age.

Insomnia

This fight would’ve been particularly cool a decade ago, but yeah, I’d watch it in 2025 too.

Reminder not to take anything said on Twitter seriously if it’s a fighter managed by Ali Abdelaziz.

Add Corey Anderson to the list of fighters unhappy with the PFL-Bellator buyout.

Leon Edwards has been rather quiet since losing the title. Who should “Rocky” face in his return fight?

My prediction is that Merab vs. Umar happens next in a reasonable time frame, and this all ends up as much ado about nothing.

Light Heavyweight violence alert:

I’m starting to think The Fighting Nerds aren’t actually dorks.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Saenchai has the best gig ever, just beating up dudes 10-20 years younger that haven’t a prayer of competing with him.

Spinning wildly seemed to distract from the real overhand …

I’m reminded of Stefan Struve getting crumpled mid-jump.

Random Land

Incredible reactions.

Midnight Music: New Kendrick!

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.