Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
It wouldn’t be a high-profile UFC event without the rumor of a staph infection.
Former Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is set to return after a long layoff dating back to his March 2021 knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. Miocic isn’t getting a softball match up either, as he’ll challenge current kingpin Jon Jones in his first fight back. Regardless of all the Tom Aspinall controversy, Miocic’s return is highly anticipated.
Hopefully, the 42 year old is not compromised ahead of his first fight back. UFC recently released the pre-fight photos — which, as a side note, are Miocic’s first time in the Venum uniform! — and eagle-eyed fight fans immediately spotted a strange red spot on Miocic’s chest. Many assumed the worst: a staph infection.
All my doctors here on #MMATwitter does Stipe has Staph??? #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/dJVFYhuPSR
— Pegasus Picks (@PicksByPegasus) November 13, 2024
STIPE HAS STAPH OH MY FLIP!!!!!! https://t.co/HX1erBj4b0 pic.twitter.com/9ybaPgBCll
— GigaDoBronx (@GigaDoBronxAlt) November 13, 2024
There is, of course, no way to tell it’s a staph infection from a photograph. It could easily be mat burn, a cut from a training partner’s fingernails, or an abrasion from a non-fighting related incident. Either way, the athletic commission is unlikely to investigate much further based on previous fighters showing up to fights with active infections.
On the plus side, the official back up will be available … even if Jones doesn’t want to fight him.
Insomnia
I love the implication that Paul Craig is such a dangerous force on the feet that Bo Nickal cannot afford to stand with him at all.
“If I was Bo Nickal, I would hold me. I would hold for dear life.”
Paul Craig gives some #UFC309 strategic advice to his opponent. pic.twitter.com/AJVt4b13lM
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) November 13, 2024
Turki Alalshikh bought the biggest name in boxing coverage, what could go wrong?
Statement from His Excellency Turki Alalshikh confirming that he has now acquired Ring Magazine… pic.twitter.com/bqZD7xxlb1
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 11, 2024
This feels like a bad habit coming into his fight against “Bones,” but Miocic did pressure Junior dos Santos pretty effectively in both of their fights.
Stipe is weird, he hates having his opponent on the fence.
He’ll back them up by being a generally great boxer, and then he’ll just march back to the centre of the cage. It’s quite odd. Here’s just one example, but it’s a constant habit. pic.twitter.com/EFVls6Qu3k
— Ollie (@OGaddMMA) November 12, 2024
Given Miocic’s strong jab, I wouldn’t be surprised to see hand-fighting into elbows and general clinch work be a significant part of the Jones game plan.
Jon Jones step in elbows pic.twitter.com/1LcYWm6HwP
— Fedor’s nephew (@FdrNphw) November 12, 2024
The Heavyweight ranks seem to have forgotten about Sergei Pavlovich after consecutive losses, but I’m still looking forward to his return.
Preparations are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/5EIqPPv0Nu
— Sergei Pavlovich (@SPavlovich13) November 13, 2024
Think Renato Moicano gets his main event shot vs. Paddy Pimblett? It’s a smart booking …
UFC London Main event !? Moicano vs pimblett!? What do you guys think !? #mma #ufc #ufclondon
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) November 12, 2024
I don’t care if Santiago Ponzinibbio is over-the-hill, “Gente Boa” still puts it all on the line.
Santiago Ponzinibbio will fight Carlston Harris at #UFCVegas101 on January 11th. (first rep. @AlexBehunin) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/nVdztYJDPs
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) November 9, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Body shots don’t have to look like much to have an immediate impact.
The 44-year-old former world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (23-3) makes a successful comeback with a first-round KO over Dannis Aguero Arias (20-3) and is the new WBC International Super Bantamweight titleholder in Miami, Florida . pic.twitter.com/hiCllpIOu8
— Permante (@PermantexG) November 13, 2024
A lovely 1-2, pull, 2.
Jacobi Jones double tap #LFA196 pic.twitter.com/Lrf3sS4n3g
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) November 9, 2024
A left hook sneaks inside the overhand right:
STATEMENT MADE @KeyshawnDavis8 just put ALL the lightweight champions on notice. #KeyshawnLemos
(via @ESPNRingside)
pic.twitter.com/P4KVM59AvA— All the Smoke Boxing (@atsboxing) November 9, 2024
Random Land
An inspirational quote from one of the greats.
Van Gogh, oh boy could the man write pic.twitter.com/4nxE5W8BoS
— Dylan O’Sullivan (@DylanoA4) November 13, 2024
Midnight Music: Art rock, 1990
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.