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Welcome to Midnight Mania! Tonight we have Jon Jones saying once again he doesn’t think Ronda Rousey should retire (unlike Freddie Roach and her mom) even though the game caught up to her, Khabib Nurmagomedov moving on from Tony Ferguson, Doo Ho Choi in another Fight of the Year contender from 2013, the lineup for SUG 3, as well as plenty of gorgeous knockouts for all you sleepless savages.
Jones seems a man at peace lately, despite the turmoil he is constantly beset by. And he has some opinions on Rousey, not smoking weed, and her chances at regaining the belt.
I tend to agree with most of this. Rousey did dominate the division for years, and while Nunes proved a brutal matchup, still holds wins over most of the top fighters in the weight class. She might need to get rid of some people - her coach, for instance. However, her other career options might be limited, so a return to the Octagon might just be her best option.
Overcoming the ghosts of two knockout losses will be difficult for her.
Posted by Vendetta Fighter on Thursday, January 5, 2017
Jones also said that he has had an opportunity to get his own life back together with the time out from suspension, and that he doesn’t miss blazing - he mentioned that he stopped smoking that marijuana weed on Twitter a few days ago.
Had time to experience what life would be like outside of sports. Been a professional athlete since age 19. reality check was much needed
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) January 1, 2017
Had the opportunity to break my dependence on marijuana. First year not blazing since high school
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) January 1, 2017
That’s good news from the light heavyweight great. Meanwhile, Nick Diaz is blazing it up with Snoop Dogg. Each to their own.
when someone starts talking about that dangerous marijuana pot pic.twitter.com/dZqVlHOLO1
— Reverend Scott (@Reverend_Scott) June 12, 2015
While we are on the subject of Jon Jones, Submission Underground released their next fight card lineup, and it doesn’t include Jon Jones against Conor McGregor’s grappling coach, Dillon Danis. Instead, Danis will face decorated grappler AJ Agazarm.
#SUG3
— SUG (@SUG_Grappling) January 6, 2017
Dillon Danis v AJ Agazarm
Jeff Glover v Chad Mendes
Gordan Ryan v Joe Baize
Hector Lombard v Garry Tonon
Jeff Monson v Ronny Markes
Chad Mendes, currently suspended from MMA over a skin cream, is featured on the card, as well as Hector Lombard against Garry Tonon. Grappling fans, prepare your bodies.
Khabib is moving on from Tony Ferguson, per the latest rumors.
I'm told by Khabib's management he is "moving on" from Ferguson. Looking to fight "highest ranked guy" at UFC 209. Chiesa possibly.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 6, 2017
Bad news for Ferguson, whose only demand is that he simply gets paid by the UFC what Khabib is getting paid by the UFC.
Also per Khabib's management, he will start camp this weekend at AKA in San Jose. Mind is set on UFC 209.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 7, 2017
In regards to Khabib/Tony, it's not completely dead. Tony/UFC could still come to deal. But Khabib is now willing to move on. We'll see ...
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 7, 2017
Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting
Remember Doo Ho Choi and his awesome fight with Cub Swanson at UFC 206? (See highlights here)
Well, turns out it wasn’t the first time the Korean Superboy has been in a potential Fight of the Year.
One of the best fights of 2013. DHC fan? You're obligated to watch
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 7, 2017
Doo Ho Choi vs Shoji Maruyama - 6.15.2013 https://t.co/14VpTJmujl
The UFC 208 official event poster has been released. Dana White never wanted to go ahead with the women’s featherweight division, but, hey, here we are. Might as well get hype.
The official event poster for "UFC 208: Holm vs. De Randamie" has been released. pic.twitter.com/VkuLbNLAKs
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) January 6, 2017
And of course, the unofficial poster from Bosslogic:
FIX - Little time in between works so I thought I'd make a quick poster that you guys are requesting - @HollyHolm vs @IronLadyMMA #ufc208 pic.twitter.com/tmbM8W2Ae6
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) January 7, 2017
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs Tim Boetch also got announced for the Brooklyn card, which is a great middleweight fight. Judging from the cover below, I’ve got to say Jacare has the edge...
Jacare vs. Boetch pic.twitter.com/y144r0ScQm
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 6, 2017
Remember when we mentioned that Muay Thai promotion that used four ounce gloves? Well, it has arrived, and the violence is as expected. (Extreme)
Khusanboy Abdullaev TKO's Denhasim - Muay Xtreme. pic.twitter.com/gJCnhat3rJ
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 6, 2017
Beautiful ellbow TKO by Rungravee PK SaenchaimuaythaiGym - Muay Xtreme pic.twitter.com/mIJzWJcRGZ
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 6, 2017
Muay Xtreme - This kick ! Brian Denis (France) KOs Khunsueklek Sor. Sommai (Thailand) pic.twitter.com/rxup9KKMgi
— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) January 6, 2017
This fight was apparently ruled a TKO even though he was down from an eye poke. Seems the referee needs to get used to those MMA-style gloves. Awful call.
Muay Xtreme - Eye poke and still Kumudu is a winer? WTF!
— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) January 6, 2017
Kumudu Presanna (SRI) vs. Chartchai Sasiprapa Gym (Thailand) pic.twitter.com/RCzqWWG6xW
I came across this footage of a classic Muay Thai champion, Samart Payakaroon. His use of just the teep and the jab is incredible.
Samart Payakaroon - a golden era technician widely regarded as the best nak muay of all time. pic.twitter.com/rU579WZqNR
— Muay Thai Scholar (@MuayThaiScholar) January 6, 2017
KUNG FU FIGHTING
https://t.co/fCVslqFRbX
— schwan humes (@blakjordanbreen) January 6, 2017
Tai chi v kyokushin
Bobs and Weaves
This has been an incredible year for MMA, and it’s leading promotion, UFC, in particular. Follow MMA Mania’s Youtube channel for more.
Ever wanted to see a worse boxer than Edmond Tarverdyan? This guy below is a candidate.
THE WORST BOXER IN HISTORY#boxing #boxeo pic.twitter.com/Fyy6K7PgKc
— TheSweetScience (@TSSboxingnews) January 6, 2017
I live in Houston, so I don’t like the Cowboys. It seems I have those two things in common with Derrick Lewis.
Ouch.
Quick Hits
- War Machine’s trial is coming up on February 27- see details here
- Cody Garbrandt is saying TJ Dillashaw was a cancer to Team Alpha Male for following the most lucrative career path for himself, was never really the champion and reiterates that he once knocked TJ out in the gym.
- UFC 207 was a commercial success, with reports putting it at 1.1 million buys - incredible, for a Friday card with a Ronda Rousey media blackout. My bold prediction? Miesha Tate comes out of retirement for a third fight with Ronda later in 2017.
Stay woke, Maniacs.
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