Midnight Mania! Conor McGregor, Floyd Mayweather agree to rigorous drug testing

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have agreed to a “robust” USADA testing program that resembles the official Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) program, according to MMAFighting.com:

“Mr. McGregor is subject to both the UFC Anti-Doping Policy (because he's still an active UFC athlete) and the anti-doping program agreed to for the Mayweather vs. McGregor boxing match,” the spokesperson told MMA Fighting via e-mail.

McGregor has yet to be tested under the boxing program, per USADA’s athlete test history on its website, but he has been tested five times in 2017 under the UFC’s anti-doping policy, including twice this month.

Mayweather has been tested twice this year, both times this month. It was the first time he’s been tested by USADA, per its website, since 2015. Mayweather has been retired since fighting Andre Berto in September 2015.

The fight itself has been condemned by many as a circus, but the USADA official was insistent that the program will meet all WADA code.

“The program is consistent with other professional boxing programs USADA has conducted over the years where the athletes agree to robust testing,” the USADA spokesperson said. “It primarily focuses on out-of-competition testing, all samples are analyzed at WADA accredited labs and the rules are consistent with the WADA Code and UFC Anti-Doping Policy. And like all our anti-doping programs, we start by educating the athletes and their representatives to ensure they’re properly informed of their rights and responsibilities.”

This month seems pretty close to the fight itself to begin drug testing Mayweather, but the official is insistent that testing will be continuous moving forward. McGregor has been under UFC’s drug testing policy since July 2015.

“There is no maximum number of tests that can be performed and like our other programs, we will test robustly leading up to and during the fight in order to maximize deterrence and detection,” the spokesperson said. “Each athlete’s test history will be published on the USADA website and updated weekly.”

The drug testing program is administered under USADA and has not been registered under the Nevada State Athletic Commision, who have had differences in oversight that have led to problems for Mayweather in the past, involving IV use after his weigh-in with Pacquiao.

Tickets for the boxing match are now on sale to the general public.

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Insomnia

Chris Weidman and Michael Bisping don’t like each other. That’s no secret -- Weidman called out Bisping after his last fight, and the pair proceeded to trade insults via Twitter. Weidman made fun of Bisping’s eye injury, and Bisping told him to put his dad on a leash. Needless to say, that rubbed Weidman the wrong way.

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier in a savage exchange, but Jones’ dig about Cormier’s towelgate incident landed clean. (see the whole press conference here)

“Bones” is pulling no punches fight week, verbal or physical.

Making fun of DC’s hairline

Why is McGregor throwing switch kicks ahead of a boxing match? Is Joe Rogan onto something? (He’s not)

That Clubber Lang fight camp, except with full extension on the pullups

Maybe not. Clubber would never wear those high white socks

Weird MMA art is weird

Not as weird as this, though

Galore Bofando is an incredible athlete

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Slips, Rips, and KO Clips

Jake Shields the GOAT

Ruthless

I saw this old knockout making the rounds again. It’s usually never idea to challenge a professional MMA fighter in his own gym.

Floyd Mayweather using that pull counter over the jab McGregor loves so much

This is a crazy scramble

He started that out with a straight Thor-on-Ironman headbutt. That’s a dude you don’t wanna mess with.

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Podcasts and Video

Flying Brian J breaks down Demian Maia vs. Tyron Woodley. My prediction? This fight becomes a staring contest, with almost nothing happening and Tyron Woodley refusing to engage, broken up by Maia and Woodley trading places along the cage in the clinch.

Cormier-Jones 2 Breakdown from Inside the Octagon

Heavy Hands

Cormier vs. Jones 2 full fight card predictions- subscribe to MMA Mania’s Youtube channel here

The Naked Truth podcast

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The owner of Houston Muay Thai, and the coach of the US Muay Thai team, Michael Chase Corley, talks training youth for international competition. He was my coach’s coach back when I still trained.

Stay woke, Maniacs!