Welcome to Midnight Mania! “Korean Superboy” Doo Ho Choi welcomes you to the darkness. Unlike 12 of his 16 opponents, though, you will not find sleep easily.
When you murk people for a living but you also enjoy coloring books and playing on the jungle gym. pic.twitter.com/xbGGYFAhUH
— hsirt. (@trishcrane) November 28, 2015
Let me get this out of the way first: Happy birthday to female MMA fighter and top-ranked Strawweight, Claudia Gadelha.
She is, indeed, multi-talented. Wearing makeup and keeping that hair styled while hitting a bag is, well, almost beyond belief. Happy birthday, beautiful ass kicker.
The Strawweight division will reportedly get another influx of talent as Invicta champion Angela “Overkill” Hill has been re-signed by UFC to fight Jessica Andrade at the increasingly-stacked UFC 207. She will join Alliance MMA teammate and Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz on the Dec. 30, 2016, card.
Now, speaking said card, you may not have heard this yet ... it may have escaped your attention. Yeah, it’s been flying under the radar, most people have no idea — it’s a HUGE SECRET, but ... Ronda Rousey is back!
The very best video regarding her comeback is this one from TMZ. Check it out:
And now, for something completely different ... I mean, if you are into Conan, World of Warcraft and/or Vin Diesel:
Here she stars in a new Pantene commercial that is exceptionally well edited to make the Olympic bronze medalist in judo look like a polished striker. We will see soon enough!
For a video breakdown and artistic depiction of her actual talents, take a look at this shot of her stunning finish of Alexis Davis (if you haven’t seen it yet):
Another, lesser-known mixed martial arts (MMA) Bantamweight talent helped Nikon advertise its new D500 camera by smashing fruit. Bantamweight prospect and BAMMA two-division champion Tom “Firekid” Duquesnoy smashed some pumpkins and watermelons for the (exceptional) cameras.
On the subject of destroying edible fruit, former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir‘s daughter is not impressed with “Super” Sage Northcutt’s performance ...
Eat your heart out, Chrissy Teigen.
Another scene of domestic tranquility, this time from a different UFC Bantamweight, Cat Zingano:
A glimpse at the real grace in the Alpha Zingano family...#alphacatzingano #alphacub #alphapup #teamalphacat #wreckage @ufc pic.twitter.com/Y5u69OK1RD
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 8, 2016
I never posted the Monday Morning Analyst, so here it is, laying out how Demetrious Johnson dealt with the surprising threat of the unorthodox Tim Elliott.
And some other analysis from the boys at Heavy Hands:
Looking forward again to UFC 206 this Saturday, Joe Rogan previews the extraordinary level of striking talent on display in the main event:
Two of the most dynamic strikers in the featherweight division collide at #UFC206! Who wins? @JoeRogan previews ⬇️ https://t.co/68Hy9i00B2
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2016
“The Naked Gambler” broke down this extraordinary main event for those wondering where to put their money.
Today, Max Holloway sparred with a young Pettis fan, and it might have been the best thing I’ve seen all week — the boy was “Blessed!”
VIDEO: Max Holloway spars with a young Pettis fan during #ufc206 workouts (@ekc) pic.twitter.com/dpsV2yKbNf
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 7, 2016
Also at the open workouts, Duane “Bang” Ludwig and Matt “Immortal” Brown warmed up on the pads.
#ufc206 open workout: Bang & Brown @IamTheImmortal @DUANEBANGCOM pic.twitter.com/iJ4IUVZiQI
— Matthew Wells - MMA (@MrMWellsArt) December 7, 2016
Speaking of Matt Brown ...
Matt Brown didn't hold back in today's scrum. He really doesn't like Donald Cerrone and had some very harsh words about "Cowboy."
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) December 7, 2016
Interesting, given he has trained with Cerrone in the past. I spoke to Cowboy’s trainer about this match up. Look for an article on that tomorrow. Meantime, watch this breakdown on that fight from Flyin Brian J:
And get yourself primed with this video of five finishes from fighters featured this weekend.
I know I can’t be the only one excited.
Choi/Swanson
— Jessica Hudnall (@LegKickTKO) December 8, 2016
Brown/Cerrone
Pettis/Holloway#UFC206 official status: pic.twitter.com/0sUiEHcTw7
Oh, but before that, we have that Albany Fight Pass card, and breaking news has just surfaced regarding who is the most beastly fighter in UFC:
Who's more beastly? @Thebeast_ufc Derrick Lewis, or @CoreyA_MMA Anderson? We went straight to the source. https://t.co/gUZKbK2npv pic.twitter.com/xrJWqaWSGr
— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) December 8, 2016
Now that the news has went viral. YES!! Beastin 25/8 will no longer be the fight name but the brand name. Watch Friday to hear the name.
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) December 8, 2016
I’ll miss that nickname, but at least there is now one undisputed “Beast” because Derrick Lewis was not backing down on that one.
Slips, Rips and Clips
Grabaka Hitman made a list of top regional KOs this year and you want to see them all. You know you do.
Gonna run through my 2016 regional KO of the year list today.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
#15. Bernard Soriano over Mario Satya Wirawan - Spinning Back fist pic.twitter.com/uRvs8V5eyu
Regional KOTY #14. Denis Goltsov over Paul Buentello - Head Kick - ACB 41 pic.twitter.com/BelY6TCseQ
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
I could never get that hook-to-head-kick combination right when I was doing Muay Thai. So that’s how it’s done.
Regional KOTY #13. Istela Nunes over Karoline Martins - Triple Head Kick - Festival de Lutas da CUFA 2 pic.twitter.com/lMnWItQG5L
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
Another Muay Thai staple I never used, the tripling up of round kicks. Guess there is a reason they teach it.
#12 is aforementioned double bantamweight champion Tom Firekid Duquesnoy:
Regional KOTY #12. Tom Duquesnoy (@TomFirekid) over Shay Walsh - Elbow - BAMMA 25 pic.twitter.com/XYE1hfwoDy
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
The next one is so ridiculous I wouldn’t even have planned it in an action-movie sequence:
Regional KOTY #11. Tang Da Pan over Zhou Biao - Slam - ONE Championship 37. Brutal guillotine escape. pic.twitter.com/cgoXLaoEoS
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
This one is straight gangster:
Regional KOTY #10. Deiveson Figueiredo over Denis Fontes - Backfist - Jungle Fight 90. Pimp slap KO pic.twitter.com/iLeMmeu2yz
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
Flying knees are always awesome.=!
Regional KOTY #9. Yuri Villefort over Kenneth Glenn - Flying Knee - VFC 47 pic.twitter.com/Eu0XgeTaa9
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
I remember seeing this on my timeline when it happened. Still amazing.
Regional KOTY #8. Rustam Makhauri over Kurban Aliev - Spinning Back Kick - Akhmat Fight Show 28 pic.twitter.com/VjapDrlc3N
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
Another flying knee... I always feel like I can spot who is going to knock out who in these clips.
Regional KOTY #7. Leandro Ataides over Mohamed Ali - Flying Knee - ONE: Age of Domination pic.twitter.com/F6FDDhXuNH
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
I freaking love two-touch spinning back kicks.
Regional KOTY #6. Amir Elzhurkaev over Dmitry Tamaev - Two-touch Spinning Back Kick - ACB 34 pic.twitter.com/KGr5pewm7q
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 7, 2016
We just saw this one. Worth a rewatch. I didn’t know the opponent came in fifty (50!!) pounds overweight.
Regional KOTY #5. Gerald Harris over Aaron Cobb - Slam KO - Legacy FC 63. HE SLAMMED HIM INTO THE ASTRAL PLANE pic.twitter.com/DXIL3qxaWh
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 8, 2016
When a fighter comes in that overweight, or has a history of fighting dirty, it makes me a little more likely to enjoy seeing them get knocked out. Maybe that’s wrong, but its true.
Regional KOTY #4. Michal Materla over Rousimar Palhares - Uppercut - KSW 36 pic.twitter.com/DBNsbeowlR
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 8, 2016
The timing on this one is ridiculous.
Regional KOTY #3. Andre Soukhamthath over Kody Nordby - Flying Knee - CES MMA 33. 5th round of a war. pic.twitter.com/uqqolbBkb4
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 8, 2016
Another Palhares KO. Meek fights Jordan Mein this Saturday at UFC 206.
Regional KOTY #2. Emil Meek over Rousimar Palhares - Elbows - Venator FC 3. Meek makes his UFC debut this weekend. pic.twitter.com/Bdh2pFQc7z
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 8, 2016
Anyone miss Krazy Horse?
Regional KOTY #1. Charles Bennett over Minoru Kimura - Punch - RIZIN 2. KONNICHIWA pic.twitter.com/EK7GEalVnd
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 8, 2016
Oh, and here’s a bonus KO for good measure.
This was not a good fight. Lucky it didn't last long...
— Joshua Yandle (@JoshYandle) December 7, 2016
Arlisson Tenshinran KO's Williames Chacal at WGP 35 pic.twitter.com/lHnij3CeoQ
This one, though, just has me really concerned about what’s going on:
Dayum! pic.twitter.com/gTSxbAI0MT
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) December 7, 2016
I hope that guy is okay. Not that any of those are normal, but that one was really bizarre.
More MMAAA is the new More Cowbell
Cowboy Cerrone is apparently not as deeply involved with the MMAAA as might have originally appeared. He went on record confirming that Dana White spent $100,000 of his own personal fortune (of over 300 million) to get Cowboy out of some legal trouble regarding a dispute on a boat. Cerrone also apparently didn’t know he would be sitting on any kind of board.
"Listen dummy these guys are not your fren I am your fren." pic.twitter.com/4hwGcejsAr
— superCalo (@superCalo) December 7, 2016
The MMAAA has come under fire from another source, too: The guys who are suing the UFC see them as competition. The story is fascinating from both sides, as the parties in question met behind closed doors previously and couldn’t come to an agreement. The MMAAA and responded with their side of the story here:
Here's a statement just released from @Themmaaa outside counsel Jim Quinn and Eric Hochstadt pic.twitter.com/HHTaWvwa3d
— Mark La Monica (@LaMonicaMark) December 7, 2016
This will be interesting to watch unfold.
Sage jumping for no damn reason:
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) December 7, 2016
You... just keep doing you, Sage.
In case there was any doubt, Nate Diaz confirmed he is going to wait until Conor comes back, following word from Dana White that the Irish superstar will be out for most of the year. I would wait for a $10,000,000+ paycheck too.
Imma take 10 months off..
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 7, 2016
This one is for commenter unambig, who wanted more cowbell:
Quick Hits
- You’ll never guess the identity of the vandal who jacked Anthony Pettis’ car.
- Nick Diaz is finally back. UFC 209, anyone?
- Anthony Pettis feels he has way more tools than Conor McGregor. Um... okay. Alright.
Stay woke, Maniacs.
Don’t drop me a line or anything at VorpalManiac@gmail.com with suggestions, insults, or great memes. I said DON’T.