Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
The ‘Day Of Reckoning’ boxing matches in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia wasn’t the only combat sports event last weekend (Sat. Dec. 23, 2023). On the other side of the world inside the RTM Stage in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, GLORY 90 went down and featured a Welterweight title fight in its main event, in which Endy Semeleer (36-1) defending his crown via first-round knockout opposite Anwar Ouled-Chaib (3-1).
The more viral attention was focused earlier on the card, however. Prior to the main event, 338-pound Moroccan talent Nabil Khachab (27-4-1) earned a spot in the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix by taking out Nikola Filipovic (11-3), utilizing pressure and punches-in-bunches to pick up a unanimous decision win.
Check out this highlight clip from his latest victory:
Nabil Khachab left no doubt #GLORY90 pic.twitter.com/QogCSXEogR
— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) December 23, 2023
Consequently, Khachab has locked down the final spot in the upcoming Glory Heavyweight Grand Prix. He’ll join the likes of champion Rico Verhoeven (60-10) in an eight-man, one-night tournament that is scheduled for March 9, 2024 inside the GelreDome in Arnhem, Netherlands. Khachab celebrated the victory and Grand Prix opportunity online after his decisive win.
Grateful to have won yesterday’s match and qualified for the 8-man tournament as the only Moroccan fighter. Thankful for this opportunity, onwards to the tournament, in sha Allah! Get ready for what’s coming
Since the clip above is a bit skimpy, here’s an additional highlight of “Tank” in action, as he shows off unusually fast hand speed for a Super Heavyweight.
Insomnia
I hate this rumor and very much hope it is false.
According to rumors and hearsay from combat sports fans in Thailand, it would appear that the reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon, who is expected to face Takeru in less than a month, has suffered an undisclosed injury to his left hand.
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/OpKKpcVYwm
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) December 27, 2023
The fact that Takeru’s opponent-to-be has conspicuously kept his left arm out of sight in his social media posts and media appearances has further fueled these rumors.
(2/2)
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) December 27, 2023
Judo airlines, prepare for take off!
Doesn’t get bigger
Harai-goshi #TopTechniques #JudoTV #Judo pic.twitter.com/lj6tBbJAoy
— JudoTv.com (@judotvcom) December 27, 2023
Matt Brown putting in some work on the speed bag:
Alex Pereira is ahead of the game, and there’s nothing anyone else can do about it.
Tim Elliott officially has scored the most takedowns in UFC Flyweight history.
A slick exchange:
This man is completely unhinged, but the final quote here is laugh worthy.
Yan Xiaonan tearing up some pads! Is she the next opponent for Zhang Weili?
Good for Zabit.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
What would you call this punch from Yoshiki Takei? It’s like a bolo punch to the liver!
— Benjamin (@AJKFenjoyer) December 26, 2023
After picking up his second undisputed title this week, Naoya Inoue deserves all the love, and the man has some incredible highlights.
In chronological order, here is every knockdown that Naoya Inoue has scored in his career.
There are 45 of them, enjoy #boxing pic.twitter.com/W2brHjW4iH
— Steve Boxman (@SteveBoxman) December 27, 2023
Some of the slickest Muay Thai I’ve come across in a while.
Random Land
Felt seasonally appropriate.
Midnight Music: Alt. rock/pop, 1998
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.