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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
UFC did not hold back with UFC 259, as three separate title fights and four UFC champions topped a talent-rich event. From top-to-bottom of the 15-fight card, there were recognizable names and entertaining performances, and it would appear that the gamble of putting all these titles on the line at once paid off.
Per a report from Sports Business Journal, UFC 259 sold an estimated 600k pay-per-view (PPV) buys domestically, as well as an additional 200k internationally. For an event headlined by anyone other than Conor McGregor, those are really strong numbers, particularly since UFC recently raised the PPV price an additional $5.
That’s not even to mention the financial benefits of the ESPN deal regarding PPV percentages.
It’s a particularly strong result for Israel Adesanya. “Stylebender” may not have captured the Light Heavyweight title, but he continues to move significant numbers. He may not be “the biggest star in the sport at the moment” as his coach said, but selling a substantial amount of PPVs will indeed help convince Jon Jones that the eventual super fight is still worth pursuing.
Of course, the victorious champions Jan Blachowicz and Amanda Nunes benefit from the exposure and pay bump as well. Plus, strong numbers like these likely set up the stage for a higher profile rematch between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling.
Insomnia
Rogerio Bontorin is not handling his knockout loss to Kai Kara-France particularly well (WATCH IT!). Generally, fully conscious people do not fall on their own faces.
Congratulations to Chase Hooper on his BJJ black belt!
Today, after 13 years of training, I earned my Jiu Jitsu black belt. I started when I was 8 years old and I’ve put my life into this sport and it’s given me so much in return. I can’t thanks my coaches enough for the years of knowledge and advice. pic.twitter.com/hNQLlsWRs8
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) March 11, 2021
Dominick Cruz just cannot help but roast TJ Dillashaw.
“That’s just him exposing himself again, trying to make himself feel better for being a cheater”
Dominick Cruz reacts to TJ Dillashaw’s comments on Aljamain Sterling’s win over Petr Yan at #UFC259
Full interview https://t.co/OkvIEQpFXN pic.twitter.com/UfM1ywB6oh
— James Lynch (@LynchOnSports) March 11, 2021
Poorly done Photoshops are much better than good ones.
I got 6 kids I never pull out COVID may of saved you for now, but u already got the date.Your head gunna be on a spike soon. https://t.co/UWjNfaaN1u pic.twitter.com/2zMkapLNis
— Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill (@JamahalH) March 10, 2021
It can be easy to get too confident on the wall …
Too good not to post! pic.twitter.com/n2ZlBx5QUT
— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) March 11, 2021
Reminder: Anthony Smith should have taken the DQ and title vs. Jon Jones.
“My problem is Aljo should have never had to make that decision”
Anthony Smith gives his take on Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) DQ victory at #UFC259 as someone who was in a similar situation against Jon Jones
Full interview ? https://t.co/Uoyrr3rEOq pic.twitter.com/VTrGib2ijg
— James Lynch (@LynchOnSports) March 10, 2021
What is the craziest reason a UFC fight has been cancelled?
A new one from this weekend’s cancellations pic.twitter.com/pDyYvy53PD
— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) March 11, 2021
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Here’s one of the most perfectly brutal pull counters that you’ll ever see.
Mohammad Farhad KO2 Uloomi Karim #BraveCF47 pic.twitter.com/VQifmsoHVg
— Streetfight Banned-cho (@streetfitebncho) March 11, 2021
Teah got caught throwing his uppercut with his chin just a bit too high. Uppercut vs. Overhand is always a scary battle
Brandun Lee KO3 Samuel Teah pic.twitter.com/FKJ2bt8nLW
— Streetfight Banned-cho (@streetfitebncho) March 11, 2021
Misha Cirkunov’s strangle game is no joke.
Cirkunov sub appreciation #fightweek pic.twitter.com/uY7NOLPzzq
— MS (@UFC_Obsessed) March 10, 2021
Random Land
Bouncing into the upside down:
Midnight Music: I don’t believe I’ve chosen a CCR song yet, which seems like an oversight, and I’d like to personally apologize to Jim Miller.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.