Welcome to Midnight Mania, where even on action-packed fight nights you get the best content.
Let’s start with a reminder how good the fighters we watch are compared to the general public:
It's amazing how bad people are at fighting. pic.twitter.com/IyOTBBDrmW
— Josh Sánchez (@jnsanchez) December 9, 2016
It appears the Ontario Commission wants Emil Meek to shave his awesome beard for his fight. This seems incredibly pointless, but technically it is in the Ontario rules.
From the Ontario commission rules for MMA https://t.co/DCDQSFNm1u pic.twitter.com/8kzgewpNaa
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) December 9, 2016
... although clearly exceptions have been made in the past.
.@marc_raimondi Unless your name is Jon Jones pic.twitter.com/IbkHLgurQL
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 9, 2016
Hopefully, exceptions can be made again.
I'm pretty sure the Norse gods in Valhalla had jurisdiction over the Ontario Commission in regards to Meek's beard, but will have to check.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) December 9, 2016
“Black Beast” got a win tonight, even though he called his performance “some bullshit.” One can only expect honesty from Derrick Lewis, though. Clearly.
#fightday #UFCAlbany pic.twitter.com/g1KEfH8MSS
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) December 9, 2016
POLL: Who is the funniest UFC fighter on social media @TheBeast_UFC
— UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2016
All the betting odds for UFC 206 in one convenient graph:
Who's favored to win at #UFC206, and by how much?
— Fightnomics Reed (@Fightnomics) December 9, 2016
Fighter win probabilities based on current betting odds.
Cerrone & Choi lead the pack. pic.twitter.com/KMLueQbKzT
Anthony Pettis missed weight, which means the fight is still happening, but only Max Holloway can win that belt they made up for this contest. So ... McGregor was stripped for what exactly?
"Our weight's really good, so we kinda' get to enjoy it a little bit more." https://t.co/D7NEIBxC47 https://t.co/PHXRSYzGng
— Justin Golightly (@SecretMovesMMA) December 9, 2016
Come on, “Showtime.”
This was cold from John Kavanagh, McGregor’s coach:
they all say they can do what he can do. until it comes time to do what he can do.
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) December 9, 2016
Conor McGregor's official statement on Pettis missing weight: #UFC206 pic.twitter.com/Jyg3odDOkX
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) December 9, 2016
Holloway was unfazed about all of this, though.
To all Pettis fan flip the channel from showtime to cineMax #teamblessedmma welcomes you with open arms Hawaiis warmer #UFCHawaii
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) December 9, 2016
That’s pretty good, actually.
Anyone watch Westworld? Don’t spoil the season finale for me. I hear there is a twist at the end and so help me I will find you, and I will make you pay.
Genius pic.twitter.com/vLVBTqlIQq
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) December 9, 2016
McGregor continues to get big time endorsement deals. Beats by Dre? Not into ‘em myself, but that’s a huge name.
Let the world hear you. Watch the new @beatsbydre #BEHEARD video #Powerbeats3Wireless https://t.co/Jnn2ApVzF3 pic.twitter.com/KHfwogtIUi
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 9, 2016
Apparently, he was also nominated for most stylish man of the year. Fortunately, no one reads your little “GQ” magazine.
UFC President Dana White went on ESPN and was arguing about fighter pay, apparently. Here is an article showing that Lorenzo Fertitta and the former UFC brass lied about fighter pay for years:
The number Fertitta cited to ESPN is in the "neighborhood" of 50%. Not a hard thing to find. https://t.co/QBfu0pUPr8 https://t.co/ZyeG09WlQQ
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) December 9, 2016
MEAN MUGGIN’!!!
UFC 206 weigh-in face offs were lit:
YES PLEASE!!!! #UFC206@CubSwanson vs @KoreanSuperBoy7
— UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2016
LIVE on PPV https://t.co/FhJ2VzPp4Z
As were Glory: “COLLISION” kickboxing face offs:
Cerrone’s position on MMAAA, his injured eye and, well, everything is pretty confusing lately. What isn’t confusing is that Matt Brown does not like him and they are going to throw down tomorrow:
CERRONE vs BROWN!!! pic.twitter.com/ET9s4vHBzQ
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 9, 2016
Cage or Barbershop?
You might have missed this historic first, buried in the UFC Fight Night 102 “Prelims” undercard:
This mother fucker got a hair cut mid fight! #UFCAlbany
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) December 10, 2016
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT THE PONYTAIL
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) December 10, 2016
Here is the moment in question.
Well, this is a first! #UFCAlbany https://t.co/Fx3O76nU02
— UFC (@ufc) December 10, 2016
Yeah, that’s right. Sometimes you are in the middle of a cage fight and think to yourself, “You know what? It’s time for a change. I’ve had this ponytail for a while now and I’m really feeling something different, ya know?” But, it’s kinda hard to book an appointment from the stool between rounds. You want this haircut, though. It needs to happen. Fortunately, your buddy has got your back. He comes in the cage with a pair of scissors -- probably the ones normally used to cut tape — and “snip snip”, a free man you are. Free from your ponytail, that is. Not free from the cage fight, which is still happening. Fortunately, you are Shane Burgos, and you beat Tiago Trator by unanimous decision. So, all in all, a good night for you.
Podcasts and Audio
Have you seen Mike “Platinum” Perry’s deadlift form?
Well, Luke Thomas called him out on that form. Did Perry answer the criticism well or poorly?
Both Cerrone and Brown are known for weakness to body shots, but according to Cerrone’s coach Brandon Gibson, there is a difference:
If you haven’t seen the latest Fights Gone By podcast by Jack Slack, here it is for your viewing pleasure:
Quick Hits
- See the live results and play-by-play from tonights Albany card here.
- Still time to read my interview with Brandon Gibson, who coaches Cerrone, Swanson, Kennedy and Vannata here.
Stay woke, Maniacs.
Email me at VorpalManiac@gmail.com. Just not with Westworld spoilers.