Midnight Mania! Why Does UFC Hate ‘El Cucuy?’

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

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Tony Ferguson is incredible. While crafting his own style and finishing a majority of his opponents, Ferguson went undefeated for six years, setting a UFC Lightweight record with 12 consecutive victories. He picked up an interim title in that span, but ultimately, it’s growing more and more likely that “El Cucuy” will never actually get an opportunity at undisputed gold.

Ferguson did finally lose to Justin Gaethje for the interim title back in May, but he was scheduled to potentially rebound back into the title mix by squaring off with Dustin Poirier as the co-main event to Khabib’s title fight vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. When negotiations stalled between Poirier and UFC, Poirier was accused of ducking, but at least it seemed like Ferguson would still get to fight Michael Chandler and keep his position on the card.

Nope! It’s now confirmed that Ferguson is off the event entirely, whereas Chandler is heading to Fight Island as a back up for the title fight.

“They went quiet on us,” White told TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter on Thursday (transcription via MMAJunkie). “We couldn’t get a fight done. When I call you and you want to fight (then) fight. If you don’t, no problem. I’m not pushing anybody to fight. … You don’t want to fight? We move on, and we make other fights.”

In the last week alone, UFC President Dana White has insinuated that both Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson are avoiding fights. Given their well-established histories as action fighters who regularly fight elite opponents, it’s a hard one to believe. Instead, Chandler has effectively leapfrogged them both, and while it’s easy to be excited about his UFC entrance, his recent work cannot compare.

Somehow, it seems likely that Poirier and Ferguson will still collide, just in the main event of a Fight Night card somewhere down the line. Hopefully, both men are paid well and given their hard-earned respect when that time comes.

Shameless Self-Promotion

I accepted a short-notice fight for the Global Legion FC Flyweight title on September 26th in Tampa, Florida! For each of my previous professional fights, I’ve raised funds to cover camp costs via my banner, in which members of the Mania community can get their name/nickname/username on the banner via a $5 or more donation. The promotion has rules against advertising during their shows, so the banner is unlikely to make it into the actual cage, but it will still be signed and raffled to a random supporter.

For anyone reading who enjoys my writing and would like to support/enter the raffle, I have Venmo (AndyLRichardson), PayPal ([email protected]), and a GoFundMe. There will be a PPV stream link that I’ll include here as well once I have it … Let’s bring home a belt, y’all!

Insomnia

Patricio Freira is feeling a bit disrespected amidst all the Chandler hubbub.

Michael Bisping with a positive update following his pair of knee replacements:

Israel Adesanya made an appearance on popular YouTube show Hot Ones alongside boxing champion Anthony Joshua.

A guide to using MMA opposite a kangaroo! Aussie readers, please advise?

Donald Cerrone may never have scored a title, but his career is still pretty legendary.

Some very impressive choreography here:

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Tyron Woodley’s right hand really is one of the fastest, most powerful weapons in the sport. Or, perhaps, it was …

SUMO!

Alistair Overeem is cool and all, but the Ubereem days were different.

Random Land

NASA providing the cool space photos and information:

Midnight Music: I found this instrumental track quite pleasant.

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