Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
It’s a big weekend for boxing as Anthony Joshua meets Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title Saturday night (Sept. 21, 2024) in London, England, but a ton of talent was also on display Friday night.
Things got off to a hot start as undefeated Irish prospect Callum Walsh made good on his debut in Dublin to score a nasty second round KO. Later Friday night, Top Rank Boxing hosted Munguia vs. Bazinyan from Glendale, Arizona, which produced more impressive action inside of the ring.
An undercard matchup featured rising 21-year-old prospect, Alan Garcia, putting his undefeated 14-0 record on the line against 15-13 veteran, Ricardo Fernandez, who was just 4-6 in his last 10 entering tonight. As you may have guessed, Fernandez put his subpar record and low finish rate aside to deliver one of the best upsets in boxing this year.
In Round 5, Fernandez stalked Garcia along the ropes and unleashed a massive overhand right. At the same time, Garcia went to throw a right hand and let his guard down. Fernandez’s punch landed flush and put the Top Rank prospect down for the count. Garcia’s trainer, Gloria Avarado, watched on in worry while doing a mid-fight interview ringside.
Check it out above and below:
A DEVASTATING K.O. FROM RICARDO FERNANDEZ
(via @trboxing) pic.twitter.com/wVHrCUwqDr
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 21, 2024
135lbs Top Rank prospect Alan Garcia
just got KO’D by a guy with 15 wins 13 losses and 1 KO going into fight????
#Boxing— Danny (@dantheboxingman) September 21, 2024
Insomnia
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad now has his own day in Chicago.
September 20th, 2024 is now “Belal Muhammad Day” in Chicago
IG / @bullyb170 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/4gOt2j2iXi
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 20, 2024
Who you gonna call?
Alex Pereira via Instagram pic.twitter.com/NN12157URk
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) September 20, 2024
Here’s UFC’s Tabatha Ricci playing role of Queen for Callum Walsh’s boxing match on Friday.
A Queen in attendance for her King! #WalshRunowski@TabathaRicci ringside in Dublin for #WalshRunowski
Watch #WalshRunowski LIVE on @UFCFightPass | #JoshuaDubois LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office tomorrow pic.twitter.com/O40DtWYZpz
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 20, 2024
Gervonta Davis’ next fight is already in the works.
Per sources: Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach possible for Dec. 21 in a PBC on Prime Video PPV at CapitalOne Arena in Washington, D.C. Would be a regional grudge match between Baltimore’s Davis and DC’s Roach, who would move up to challenge for Davis’ 135 title. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) September 20, 2024
Any issues with this UFC 308 poster?
The official #UFC308 poster has dropped
This card pic.twitter.com/1ZKm64nkan
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) September 20, 2024
We’re just one night away from this heavyweight banger in London.
?? Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois FINAL FACE-OFF ahead of tomorrow night…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 20, 2024
Anyone want Bryce Mitchell against Movsar Evloev?
Bryce Mitchell says give him two months and he’ll fight Movsar Evloev:
“If Aljo don’t want to fight him in a couple of months because he needs more time and they need somebody, I’m the dude.
There’s not a bigger draw. Who else you gonna get to fight Movsar that will fill up… pic.twitter.com/6hYBzhIof0
— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) September 20, 2024
How much money do you need to fight Anthony Joshua?
How much money to fight Anthony Joshua? #JoshuaDubois | Tomorrow | #RiyadhSeasonCard pic.twitter.com/m4GgradPH8
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) September 20, 2024
Hopefully this squabble is true and they end up releasing this clip.
Rumor has it Belal went on Kamaru and Henry’s podcast. Apparently Belal owned Usman verbally to the point of Kamaru getting emotional and allegedly trying to instigate a fight. The footage still hasn’t dropped. Hope they release it soon. Unedited.
— Dan (@BestFightPicks) September 20, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Wild knockdown exchange to start this one.
Gareth Dowling coming out HOT in his pro debut #WalshVsRunowski pic.twitter.com/fFMAX3uxU7
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
Ireland’s Shauna O’Keeffe looking like a real problem.
Crisp shots early from O’Keeffe #WalshVsRunowski pic.twitter.com/6abbpeD7fL
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
O’Keeffe letting it fly in round 4 #WalshVsRunowski pic.twitter.com/Fn8wC0FZkU
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
That’s a wrap!!
Shauna O’Keeffe moves to 3-0 with a TKO victory #WalshVsRunowski pic.twitter.com/FwNAoMsqna
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
Here’s more action from the Walsh vs. Runowski fight card.
These guys came to fight. #WalshVsRunowski pic.twitter.com/boHR4CBOU4
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
NUCLEAR BODY SHOT FROM THOMAS CARTY #WalshVsRunowski pic.twitter.com/2IoHSGyivN
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
THOMAS CARTY GETS IT DONE IN DUBLIN
Huge KO victory from the Irishmen #WalshVsRunowski pic.twitter.com/y421Alutjl
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
There were some pretty brutal finishes at PFL MENA on Friday.
LEFT HOOK + STRAIGHT RIGHT = GOODNIGHT
Ali Taleb gets the first round KO in impressive fashion!
. @PFLMENA | #PFLMENA pic.twitter.com/9o357jlaWt
— PFL (@PFLMMA) September 20, 2024
Georges Eid with the vicious ground & pound in the first round! @PFLMENA | #PFLMENA pic.twitter.com/xZsR1unNe4
— PFL (@PFLMMA) September 20, 2024
Omar El Dafrawy GETS IT DONE!
First round KO as he advances to the @PFLMENA Championship where he will face Mohammad Alaqraa for the #PFLMENA Welterweight Title! pic.twitter.com/ehgWq6YhQS
— PFL (@PFLMMA) September 20, 2024
Left hook knockout by undefeated sensation Callum Walsh.
Picture perfect left hand gets it done for ‘King’ Callum in his homecoming fight.
[#WalshRunowski | Streaming NOW | UFC FIGHT PASS ] pic.twitter.com/GPvHviitcD
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
Ugly ending here.
OUCHHH
Spinning back kick to the body puts an immediate end to this one. Big win for Davon Duncan #Shooto125 pic.twitter.com/ejHlJgr6Zk
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2024
Random Land
Check out the Diddy arrest video from Monday.
#TMZ has obtained #exclusive video of #Diddy‘s Monday night arrest in #NYC. pic.twitter.com/gJPKQEiw66
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 20, 2024
Sleep well Maniacs! We’ll be back for more tomorrow night.