Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Earlier today at UFC weigh-ins, Ronaldo Souza vs. Uriah Hall was curiously the only match up that featured social distancing, as the rest squared off like at any other event. When news broke just an hour ago that “Jacare” tested positive for Coronavirus, it seemed like a really lucky coincidence.
Not so much.
As it turns out, Souza recently had a family member ill with the virus, and UFC has known about it since at least Wednesday.
Per Okamoto, a member of Jacare’s family had previously tested positive for COVID-19 and he disclosed this when checking in on Wednesday.
He took the test and was isolated and the test came back positive.
Jacare’s distance from Hall during the faceoff was likely precautionary.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 9, 2020
UFC and Dana White promised the strictest precautions, guaranteeing safety of the athletes and promising that there would be no viral spread. It was reassuring when numerous videos emerged of fighters getting repeatedly tested, a sign that those promises were being fulfilled. This situation, however, is distinctly less promising and more upsetting.
Why was the fight not canceled/delayed when Souza admitted he was potentially exposed? Was Souza allowed into the fighter hotel after this information came to light? How many officials and UFC staffers has Souza interacted with in the last three days? Was Souza’s health at risk as he cut weight while his body battled the virus? Regardless of how UFC handled the situation, doing anything other than sending “Jacare” home increased the risk of the whole show.
It’s not a great look in general for the company, particularly when Souza admitted weeks ago that he was scared to fight during the pandemic, only accepting a fight to pay his bills.
Listen: I’m not a chronically negative media person who has constantly condemned the event. I’m still as excited as any fight fan to watch UFC 249 tomorrow, it’s probably going to be awesome. However, we were publicly promised “an over abundance of safety measures,” and bringing Souza into the fold after he revealed this information is a far cry from caution.
Hopefully, Souza is the event’s only positive test, but that’s no guarantee.
Insomnia
With all the talk of a possible Mike Tyson comeback, now is the time to relive his frightening walkout.
Mike Tyson had one of the most intimidating ring walks pic.twitter.com/QJeucKfVRG
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 7, 2020
A distinctly concise description of tomorrow’s main event:
Francis Ngannou about Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje Lol. pic.twitter.com/PJ6KbXTDc1
— Crack Hardly (@CrackHardly) May 8, 2020
Speaking of “The Predator,” that man hits uniquely hard.
If anyone who loves betting on pointless and largely unknowable minor details, UFC 249 might just be your event!
Some interesting prop bet lines released for Ferguson vs. Gaethje and Pettis vs. Cerrone via @betonline_ag pic.twitter.com/5vFThrxiIl
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 8, 2020
Colby Covington is somehow the face of Bang energy drink?
If you need a laugh, reading a few hundred comments roasting Darren Till’s mum is not a bad option.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Very nearly an amazing counter to the spinning elbow:
Dany Bill says fuck your spinning shit pic.twitter.com/IQmSnYUwVu
— LivershotLandy (@Keithland00) May 7, 2020
Mauricio Rua may not have entered UFC in prime form, but he still accomplished some amazing things!
Lyoto Machida vs. Shogun Rua II pic.twitter.com/glu3tp50XM
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 10, 2020
A look back on Sacramento’s greatest boxer, Diego “Chico” Corrales.
Random Land
A car dropped from a crane, because why not?
Midnight Music: I can’t remember if I’ve ever posted a Bob Dylan song before, but rest assured I’m a huge fan.
Sleep well Maniacs! There’s always more martial arts madness on the way.