Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight …
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Featherweight veteran Cub Swanson will be making his return to the cage against young gun Shane Burgos on May 4, 2019, in Ottawa, Canada.
The bout has the potential to be an amazing scrap if the 35-year-old Swanson still has something left in the tank. After piling up a four-fight win streak, including 2016’s rightful “Fight of the Year” against Doo Ho Choi, he proceeded to drop three straight: a fight he was winning until he lost against Brian Ortega, a close but clear loss to Frankie Edgar, and a shockingly quick loss to Renato Moicano, who dropped him with a jab before submitting him.
It will be one to remember https://t.co/Z3LZ0u7XBC
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) March 27, 2019
Burgos, meanwhile, lost his undefeated record via knockout to Calvin Kattar. He was knocked down in his next bout, but threw up a slick armbar to snatch the win against Kurt Holobaugh. Swanson will look to prove he still belongs at this level; Burgos, meanwhile, will look to make his name with an emphatic win over a fighter as well-known as Swanson.
Insomnia
It will be one to remember https://t.co/Z3LZ0u7XBC
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) March 27, 2019
Insomnia
Dana White reminds us of one of the many times he said something … and the opposite happened.
I watched this knockout several times because it is just an astonishingly great punch:
I doubt this is in reference to Jon “Bones” Jones, but funny nonetheless.
wow, this is one hell of a #wrongjonjones email. Apparently the other Jon Jones’s grandma spilled the beans about his anal fissures. pic.twitter.com/AVFH05pxp2
— Jon Jones (@jonjones) March 27, 2019
Rory Macdonald says Georges St-Pierre is still in training, but “GSP” is enjoying the sauna instead of the ice bath these days. Olivier Aubin-Mercier, not enjoying things so much.
Gaethje won’t takedown Barboza. He absolutely should, but he won’t.
FWIW, I asked Justin Gaethje if he’s thought about wrestling Edson Barboza this weekend, given some of Barboza’s problems with that in the past. He said, “I’d be dumb not to think about it. I don’t know if I’m gonna take him down … but I’m not against it.”
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 27, 2019
Jon Jones tweeting this just hours before news breaks that actually, he is fighting Thiago Santos? That’s just classic Jones.
I don’t think you guys are ready to witness @stipemiocic and I, would July give you all enough time?
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 27, 2019
Aljamain Sterling vs. Pedro Munhoz would be a great contender fight at bantamweight.
Great warriors think a like! @PedroMunhozmma I like your style! #PlayItCool https://t.co/rsQFhnstSs
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) March 27, 2019
The first head kick was okay but the spiteful teep to end it was truly amazing.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Bellator flyweight champion, is keeping the Hawaiian tradition going of training underwater for her fights.
At first I thought this was meant to be funny, but learning how to keep focus when fists are flying at your face is a valuable skill- having ‘strong eyes’.
The kid in the middle is me, and the kids standing around are my future goals. I’ve got it all figured out!
Leon Edwards is very upset he got lit up backstage by Jorge Masvidal and now they won’t even get to fight because Masvidal, with one win, is ahead of him in the rankings despite his 7-fight win streak.
@GamebredFighter don’t you dare take that Askren fight pussy. I told you now you’re fucked. You got saved by security last time you will not be saved by the UFC this time
— Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) March 27, 2019
Cory posted this in the comments last night, but for anyone who didn’t see it, ESPN Ariel is a new man. He just destroyed scumbag MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz.
At least I don’t pay these guys to train with me, take pics with me and spread fairytales that I can hang with them like other people
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 27, 2019
American Top Team strength and conditioning coach Phil Daru is posting about how to train for power. Dustin Poirier’s ability to generate fight-ending power late in his fights is a testament to Phil’s training regimen (as well as his own hard work).
Random Land
These citizens and their little dogs are hunting rats, and it seems like the dogs are living to their original purpose
This is why social media was invented
current mood: absolutely losing it over these pics of bad panoramas of dogs pic.twitter.com/bnUpLztGbH
— jocelyn (@jocelynseip) March 27, 2019
Sleep well, Maniacs! A better tomorrow is always possible. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @Vorpality