Midnight Mania! What does UFC’s CBD sponsorship mean for the fighters?

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

The days of “Condom Depot” and “Dude Wipes” gracing the backsides of main event athletes inside the Octagon may have ended with the now-infamous Reebok deal, but the side hustle to secure sponsorships never stopped. Go check out your favorite fighter’s Instagram — whether he/she is a star or up-and-comer, I’d hazard a guess that there’s a sponsored post in the last month or so. These sponsors come in many forms, but often lesser known fighters rely on local business of all sorts to back them up. I have friends sponsored by local automotive shops, restaurants, and construction companies, and often this extra bit of cash makes the difference in training regularly rather than spend time working at a real job.

Since its boom in legality and popularity, one of the more common sponsorships of regional athletes has been cannabidiol (CBD). It makes plenty of sense, as there are dozens of start-up CBD companies in any major city, looking to separate from the pack and build a customer base with the help of a sponsored athlete. Plus, there are claims that CBD helps with muscle fatigue, inflammation, and even brain health.

If half of that is true, it’s a Godsend to professional fighters.

Earlier today, UFC announced a multi-million dollar deal with Aurora Cannabis to research the effects of CBD. While further research to determine if it’s all snake oil and placebos or a real solution is an undeniable positive, I do wonder if UFC athletes in the future will be able to promote other brands of CBD. Is this a Reebok deal-type scenario where the consequences trickle all the way down, or is it strictly funded research?

Insomnia

It doesn’t matter how much of a badass fighter you are inside the cage, the quick claws of an angry cat are to be avoided at all costs.

Ray Borg has absolutely eclipsed Ian McCall in terms of unluckiest mixed martial artist. Hopefully, he can get back into the cage sooner than later and avoid the wrath of incompetent judges this time.

Every once in a while, one of my team mates fights on some random event only watchable on DAZN, but none of my hardcore-MMA-nerd friends have a subscription for me to leech from. That cannot be a good sign.

Reminder that Court McGee is both a gritty fighter making the most of his athletic ability and excellent person. Everyone should be a fan!

If you don’t like Mike Perry at this point, it’s your own fault (peep the caption).

Slips, Rips, and KO clips

Another monstrous knockout from last weekend. Who doesn’t appreciate a clean left hook to the liver?

There’s nothing better than a special fighter talking through what makes him unique.

In his Bellator debut, Rory MacDonald really looked like one of the absolute best technicians in the world. His ability to stalk and pick apart a dangerous counter striker and knockout artist was brilliant — MacDonald had no trouble diffusing “Semtex.” Here’s hoping “The Red King” gets his mind right before his next bout.

An important reminder that there’s probably five Russian fighters in each weight class who could mop the floor with top-ranked UFC athletes that very, very few of us have ever heard of — even if only a lucky few get to prove it.

Random Land

Still. Mad.

A handmade roll would taste much better, but it wouldn’t be nearly as neat.

Music from the making of tonight’s Midnight Mania! Before Josh Homme was the front man and singer of Queens of the Stone Age, the brilliant guitarist was writing heavy-ass riffs as the teenage wunderkind behind stoner rock group Kyuss.

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