Midnight Mania: UFC Willing To Ignore Outrageous Judges’ Decision?

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Alexander Volkov entered UFC 310 on the best win streak of his career, a four-fight sequences that saw him stop three opponents and unanimously out-point former training partner Sergei Pavlovich. “Drago” entered the cage with a tall task ahead of him, as Ciryl Gane had decisively beaten the Russian striker just three years ago.

It’s a credit to Volkov’s improvement (or Gane’s injury?) that he was able to create a completely different fight. By pressuring more heavily and introducing his own takedown attempts, Volkov was able to control the flow of the fight, landing the heaviest punches and most control time. It appeared to be a stunning upset until Adelaide Byrd and company awarded Gane the split-decision win.

The community reaction was fairly unanimous: Volkov got screwed. Even UFC CEO Dana White told him as much immediately after the fight. The question is what does that mean for his career? Occasionally, UFC has paid the win bonus of fighters egregiously robbed by the judges and matched them as if they won.

There’s been a positive update to the latter half at least. According to Alexander Volkov’s manager, Ivan Bannikov, Volkov is still consideration for a title shot as if he had won the fight officially.

“The whole UFC management agreed that Alexander won,” Bannikov told TASS news agency (via Red Corner MMA). “The judge known for controversial decisions in boxing left a stain in this story as well. But we are thankful to the UFC management, they informed us that despite the ‘robbery,’ Volkov is a title contender, not Gane.”

It’s worth mentioning that the Heavyweight title picture is at a bit of a standstill until Jon Jones decides whether he wants to keep the belt or retire. If Jones does stick around at Heavyweight, “Bones” vs. interim champion Tom Aspinall is the obvious next fight to make, but perhaps Volkov will end up in line for the next shot?

Insomnia

Dricus Du Plessis is here for the banter.

Per the man himself, Rafael Fiziev officially has an opponent lined up for his return.

Featherweight Conor McGregor immediately comes to mind as one of the most gaunt fighters I’ve seen on weigh-in day.

If it were only 2015, the Global Fight League announcement would be very exciting.

Tricky stuff from the champ!

After a 2-0 start to his UFC career, undefeated Oumar Sy is getting a step up in competition.

Muhammad Mokaev is a slight favorite over his new opponent.

Merab Dvalishvili and the boyzzz were only too eager to recreate the famous Khabib sauna pic. Is this effective trash talk?

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Powerful high kick from the open side:

It’s rare to see this choke finished, let alone from top position. Neat!

BKFC wasn’t the only promotion with a lightning quick stoppage over the weekend.

Random Land

Need some sticky rubber shoes for this gig.

Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1998

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.