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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Jon Jones is an undeniable talent. The youngest undisputed champion in UFC history picked up his title just three years into his professional career, dominating veteran talent with a fraction of their experience. More than a decade into his career, Jones has yet to truly taste defeat inside the Octagon.
But can he make the transition into boxing? Multiple-time boxing champion and Olympian, Claressa Shields, is in the process of moving from ring to her cage herself, and she’s spent time recently training with “Bones.” Based on her expertise, she believes that an athlete with Jones’ skill and dedicate could make the move to boxing even now.
“I can see Johnny Bones making a transition from MMA to boxing. Heavyweight boxing. That’s what I see. I don’t see WWE. To me, that’s more like a clown show, the WWE,” Shields said (transcription via BJPenn.com).
“Johnny Bones is a serious person especially when it comes to training and his teaching. We’ve had two classes where I spent countless hours with Johnny Bones and he was teaching me and breaking stuff down that looked so complex, but breaking it down into 1-2-3-4, breaking it down into steps from the beginning. So I look at him as a serious guy. So if I was to show (Jones) what I know in boxing and show me what he knows in MMA, I believe that when he learns these simple basics with his hands and how to stand. Aw man. I think he would be so freakin’ dangerous in boxing because he’s really just, inside that cage. I mean, we all seen it. He’s a dangerous guy.”
Jones has many strengths inside the cage, but historically boxing with similarly sized peers is an area he’s struggled more than anywhere else. However, boxing transition or not, there’s little doubt that working with a decorated puncher like Shields would help advance his skill.
Insomnia
An MMA/Christmas meme for everyone!
Me reading my Christmas card while pretending not to acknowledge the money first pic.twitter.com/gruxtaQaxr
— The Strangle Squad (@_StrangleSquad) December 24, 2020
Also, this seems like more of a Black Friday celebration than Christmas, but AMC Fight Nights got festive!
Well they’re certainly in the Christmas spirit over at AMC Fight Nights in Russia pic.twitter.com/gCWagXAFRs
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 24, 2020
Ben Askren takes a shot at Scott Coker! Bellator has been fairly lackluster (to me at least) in recent years, but they’re really building up their Light Heavyweight division to something special in 2021, so hope does still exist.
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 24, 2020
Speaking of “Funky” Ben …
— As Shopped As It Gets (@AsShopped) December 24, 2020
“The weight cut penis is certainly nothing to gawk at.” -Eryk Anders.
Should it happen? Yes. Will it happen? Certainly not.
Charles Oliveira vs. the winner of McGregor/Poirier for the 155 belt.#espnplus #UFC https://t.co/HqJ7550toD
— Charles Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) December 24, 2020
Slips, rips, and KO clips
It obviously helps that Vagabov’s opponent was hugely defensive, but he still put together some great combos from different ranges!
Mean body work and a vicious knee by Vagab Vagabov. And a merciful, correct stoppage by the referee. Vagobov is now 27-1-1. #AMCFightNights pic.twitter.com/fIO6D2Q0qr
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 24, 2020
The legend drops a left hand-heavy combination:
Saenchai gif of the day. pic.twitter.com/zhIGbUUD2L
— nojillnolife (@nojillnolife) December 24, 2020
Sometimes, flurrying forward doesn’t exactly payoff.
Very nice KO by Azizkhan Chorshanbiev. Perfectly placed jab. That’s all it takes sometimes. #AMCFightNights pic.twitter.com/lJGWJCoPSy
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 24, 2020
Random Land
Happy Holidays, y’all!
Midnight Music: This column will include a song from Phil Spector’s Christmas album each year for as long as I run it.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.