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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Ryan Garcia’s career is in the midst of a free fall.
Just about two months ago, Garcia shocked the world by upsetting Devin Haney (watch here), erasing the champion’s undefeated record and hurting him badly more than once. It was a stunning moment, particularly given Garcia’s erratic public behavior and apparent problems with substance abuse. After the win, Garcia claimed it was all an act to score the role of underdog.
Maybe not.
Shortly after the win, Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug (PED). After some deliberation, Garcia accepted a one-year suspension, and his career-best victory over Haney was overturned to a “No Contest.” It also cost Garcia over a million in fines and fees.
Now, Garcia finds himself in more trouble. His social media behavior has long been unpredictable, but in the clip above, Garcia can be heard using the N word and identifying with the Ku Klux Klan (H/T NYPost). Because of that rant and other racist remarks online, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has expelled Garcia from the WBC.
Exercising my authority as president of the WBC , I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization. We reject any form of discrimination. I fear for Ryan well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse pic.twitter.com/pCIOH2am7B
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) July 4, 2024
“Exercising my authority as president of the WBC,” Sulaiman wrote on social media. “I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization. We reject any form of discrimination. I fear for Ryan well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse.”
Afterward, Garcia wrote online that he was just “trolling,” but that didn’t stop him from arguing with random people online and continuing to use slurs.
Insomnia
Happy 4th!
Michael Page reacts to his competitive loss to Ian Garry:
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Dustin Poirier feels like the perfect fight for both men right now after their respective title fight losses.
Alexander Volkanovski says that he wants an exciting fight at lightweight while he’s waiting for a featherweight title fight.
He mentions Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier as names he’d be interested in fighting
YT / FREESTYLEBENDER #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/5hK6EJc9ci
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 4, 2024
James Vick has taken so much damage in the last few years, scary stuff.
Karate Combat president provides update on James Vick following scary KO loss
“We didn’t show it on the broadcast, but he seized. They took him into the ambulance, he needed help breathing, they put some tubes for some breathing. … Thank God he recovered.”
( @MikeHeck_JR) pic.twitter.com/V0mJ9XdJYK
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 4, 2024
Mark Hunt shares a document from his lawsuit against Brock Lesnar and the UFC:
In Hunt v Zuffa et al, it is queried why Clomiphene would be in Lesnars system if he doesn’t have ovaries, or isn’t trans? #RICO #Fraud #Trans? pic.twitter.com/VQSySFS38C
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) July 4, 2024
Neil Magny is always taking on the baddest up-and-comers at 170 lbs. The greatest gatekeeper of all time?
Michael Morales vs. Neil Magny verbally agreed for a UFC Fight Night event on Aug. 24 in Las Vegas, per sources. pic.twitter.com/5LPUGr5LxY
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) July 4, 2024
Shocking that Denver isn’t overly excited about an Apex-level event.
The next UFC event is Namajunas vs Cortez live from high elevation in Denver, Colorado.
Tickets can be secured from just $75.
The venue is a long way from sold out. pic.twitter.com/CBnyj9x6dZ
— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) July 4, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili and company are just doing what’s necessary to stay cool in this heat wave.
Apparently, Chael Sonnen’s Twitter account was hacked yesterday.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
A juicy stoppage win.
Hand trapping is growing more and more prevalent in MMA.
The agony of a well-placed body shot:
Random Land
Be careful out there!
Skier encounters a highly territorial Norway Lemming on the slopes pic.twitter.com/fZZ1Jk5HEf
— Nature is Amazing ?? (@AMAZlNGNATURE) July 3, 2024
Midnight Music: Folk, 1972
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.