Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA, each and every weeknight
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Rafael Dos Anjos is a monster. Robbie Lawler is an animal. When they collided at this weekend’s UFC event, there was a lot of anticipation. While Rafael dos Anjos ended up running away with the bout on the scorecards, the collision of dos Anjos’ endless cardio with Lawler’s limitless toughness did result in one of the most remarkable sequences I’ve seen in a long time.
It’s rare in MMA, with 4-ounce gloves, to get a blitz this long without a fighter either going unconscious or finding a way to break the attack. Lawler did neither, covering up, taking shots on his shoulders and simply absorbing what he couldn’t avoid. That’s his superpower, and it was on full display last night. Afterwards, all dos Anjos could say?
My hands are hurting because I hit the guy in the head. He’s got a pretty tough head.
Robbie Lawler has absorbed 953 significant strikes in UFC competition since Jan. 1, 2013, the most of any fighter in the company since that date. #UFCWinnipeg
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) December 17, 2017
Insomnia
Which option is next for Rafael dos Anjos?
TJ Dillashaw memed himself
This should be immortalized, because it is truly the quintessential answer MMA deserves, from Kamaru Usman.
Ultimate modern MMA quote, courtesy of Kamaru Usman: “It is what it is, but at the end of the day I don’t know what it is.”
— Marco Bucci (@bucciblog) December 18, 2017
Stipe Miocic, fighting fires or fighting heavyweights. It’s all fighting.
Heavyweight boxer Ray Mercer knocked out Tim Sylvia, so he’s an authority in two sports and he had this amazing insight to share:
I watch a lot of technique videos.
In all the years I’ve been doing it, I don’t think I’ve ever come across the kind of admission Ray Mercer – *ahem* – lets out when talking about fighting Tommy Morrison. pic.twitter.com/GIRWPBdWPQ
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) December 18, 2017
Throwback to this amazing video of boxing coach Eric Kelly.
John Wayne Parr compared himself to Mirko Cro Cop, because, well, why not. They do kinda look alike.
This qualifies as martial arts… right?
Star Wars nerds are really out here having full on LightSaber fights before the movie pic.twitter.com/y68OtRNgMi
— T?I?? G?TE? (@djhomicide) December 17, 2017
Widely respected MMA coach Robert Follis died this weekend. It was ruled a suicide. May he rest in peace. Many fighters have had remarkably good things to say about Follis’ impact on their lives, including Nate Quarry and Kevin Lee.
We saw each other through the cage and waved. He was cornering Miesha Tate and I was commentating.
That night for the first time in 10 years we went out and drank as friends do. Laughing too loud, exaggerating stories, even crying a bit at the end.— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) December 17, 2017
He was the only one I cried in front of when my father died.
He was one of three friends that came to the hospital when my daughter was born. Now two of those three are dead.I’m so fucking mad he left so soon.
— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) December 17, 2017
I have nothing to say about this.
I have nothing to say about this either, frankly, except that it was an awesome fight.
Just watched my fight. I feel like I put it on this man. I told him when it was over we gotta go again.
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) December 17, 2017
Daniel Cormier managed to piss off a lot of pro wrestlers over the weekend with his criticism of… whatever this is…
Super FLIPPY DROPKICKY Sequence! @NickJacksonYB @MattJackson13 @theAdamPage v @TheFlipGordon @dragon_leecmll #Titan #FinalBattle #ROH pic.twitter.com/KAwzOZxtLM
— Brian The Guppie (@briantheguppie) December 16, 2017
@philbaroni this is actually pathetic. This is what people wanna see? Go to a god dang gymnastics competition. Suplex, bodyslam, piledriver do some old school wrestling man. DDT, I remember when the frankensteiner was the most you’d ever see someone flip. I say Boo to this BS https://t.co/eF4pnCy0SA
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 17, 2017
It’s not pathetic. The paying audience enjoyed it. UFC is thriving, and pro-wrestling has been going strong since 1920…besides most of y’all ask hunter for a job when the wheels fall off anyway and most are on the comp list at staples…so lay the fuck off. https://t.co/oqKto3a4TK
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) December 17, 2017
I do ask for comps, I am a fan, I didn’t say anything about anything but that sequence of the match. Just be very careful bud! I’ve been a fan of urs too but be very careful. Lay off the cuss words it’s not that serious. And I won’t need a job. I’ll be good. https://t.co/7DuDLbpipp
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 17, 2017
Oh, and he also admitted he thinks Yoel Romero would beat him in a straight wrestling match.
Who’d win in a wrestling match between you and @YoelRomeroMMA
— Justin Lee O’Dell (@Dell_Oh) December 17, 2017
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 17, 2017
Slips, Rips, KO Clips
Safe to say he was not ready for this.
This dude ain’t know what he was getting himself into pic.twitter.com/lmz4EVUa2V
— Fight Videos (@FunnyBrawls) December 17, 2017
I love a good body shot.
perfect liver shot
Artur Kyshenko TKOs Andrey Chekhonin (Kunlun) pic.twitter.com/OabvYNo4V3— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) December 17, 2017
A spinning wheel kick KO is special.
Spinning Hook kick . WATCH THIS pic.twitter.com/3dEc682ye7
— HELLO JAPAN (@HelloJapan01) December 18, 2017
Podcasts and Video
UFC on Fox 26 Highlights! Follow MMA Mania on Youtube
The MMA Hour
The Monday Morning Analyst
The Severe MMA podcast
EPISODE 144!
The lads talk #UFCWinnipeg, #UFC219, Covington, Christmas, @BAMMA, Chalmers, McKee, Fleury, Mulpeter & more. pic.twitter.com/e6YFVSikQf
— SevereMMA Podcast (@SevereMMAPod) December 18, 2017
Random Land
Gold pic.twitter.com/oEL2nDZ9RZ
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) December 17, 2017
Dude has no idea how close he came to dying pic.twitter.com/IeLfAKVnMk
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) December 17, 2017
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