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Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
UFC 243 is set to be one of the biggest events of the year. Set in the massive Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, the main event will feature a grudge match between local favorites in Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker to unify the Middleweight title. That bout alone is worth the cost of admission, but fans have been holding out hope that a second title fight between Max Holloway and Australia’s own Alexander Volkanovski would take the co-main event slot.
Per Dana White on Submission Radio, it isn’t going to happen. The UFC president said, “That’s not happening. I don’t think that Max could turn around and cut the weight again that fast. So, I don’t want to put him in that type of situation.”
Given Holloway’s recent history of struggling at the scale and general health issues, it makes sense to give the champion something of a rest before sending him to war against an elite contender in Volkanovski. It probably strings for “The Great,” however, as Volkanovski’s title shot was delayed so that Frankie Edgar could first receive his opportunity.
If not for the bout, Holloway vs. Volkanovski would likely be happening at UFC 243.
Insomnia
Legends.
Brian Ortega was given a choice… on whether to swap some knowledge with “DC!”
Weili Zhang has a tiger in her living room.
McGregor is in hot water (again), and Masvidal is still trying to fight with him. The more things change, the more they stay the same…
Somebody get me in contact with the old man. He deserves a real shot of whiskey instead of that trash the little guy was trying to force him to drink #supernecessary @JohnnieWalkerUS https://t.co/LJlm02EBHw
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) August 15, 2019
I’m just visualizing Cejudo pestering some poor t-shirt shop owner to make this dumb shirt. Yes, the lettering must be GOLD!
Come out, come out wherever you are, @bulletvalentina #intergenderworldchampion pic.twitter.com/BkFhqc4opW
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) August 15, 2019
Two gigantic Middleweights are about to get after it.
First faceoff for @YoelRomeroMMA and @BorrachinhaMMA #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/70wAIPM9vq
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 15, 2019
I hope part of Oleinik’s seminar involves teaching his students how to have an 80 inch reach and the squeeze of a python, otherwise I’m not sure how effective they’ll be.
“Rampage” found a new sport that doesn’t involve wrestling…
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Even young Pettis had sneaky power in his hands.
Right hand on the break claims another victim:
Don’t know that I’ve ever seen someone jump into a kick so effectively:
Random Land
Today is a good day:
Dave Chappelle. August 26th. We’ll let Morgan Freeman tell you the rest. pic.twitter.com/PDyh7YBHhT
— Netflix Is A Joke (@NetflixIsAJoke) August 15, 2019
The fish:rice ratio is all screwy, but I’d still go for it.
Milan-based Sushi Chef Yujia Hu creates edible sushi-sneakers called “Shoe-Shi” pic.twitter.com/B54OyZSoS4
— 41 Strange (@41Strange) August 14, 2019
Midnight Music: Twitter informed me this morning that it’s the eight year anniversary of Danny Brown’s XXX, which is quite possibly my favorite rap album of the decade — it’s in my top five at a bare minimum. Dark, desperate and conceptual, the themes of drug abuse and pressure to succeed are evident throughout.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.