Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Cris Cyborg, who faces off against Invicta Bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger for the Featherweight belt this weekend at UFC 214, told media today that Ronda Rousey was the wrong face of mixed martial arts (MMA).
“I think we did a mistake one time, we put Ronda Rousey, and she don’t fight now, retired, and people, ahh, don’t know the face of MMA. I don’t want to be that person. I want to make a lot of things for all of MMA, and they have a lot of girls [inaudible], and be together growing together.”
Cyborg has long been the widely acknowledged best fighter in the world at women’s Featherweight, but a variety of circumstances -- and a recalcitrant Germaine de Randamie -- have kept her from competing for 145-pound UFC gold, a situation that will be rectified Saturday night. Dana White admitted that he and UFC made a lot of mistakes promoting her, a situation Cyborg says is hard to rectify because there is no way to reach back in time and delete the mistakes. However, she is willing to work with him moving forward to forge a better relationship.
“I forgive him, but I think have a lot of consequences that are gonna happen.”
Of course, Cyborg hasn’t made things easier on herself either, punching Angela Magana in the mouth at UFC’s athlete retreat and failing a USADA test (later acquiring a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption for the substance she popped for). Regardless, this weekend will be a welcome chance to put all the drama in the past and finally fight for the UFC belt she is sure belongs to her.
At the open workout today, Cyborg impressed with her Capoeira skill.
.@CrisCyborg practicing her capoeira with @CobrinhaCharles at the #UFC214 Open Workouts pic.twitter.com/5oIHIqX8Uf
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 28, 2017
Insomnia
Did you know Jon Jones and I rep the same area code?
That’s right, 607. I was reminded of this fact when I opened an email today explaining that someone had partnered with Jon Jones to bring us ... BONESMOJIS!!
Why is this a thing? Who knows. Why would I ever need a Jon Jones emoji? I’m not sure. What does Jon Jones do that is distinctive enough to recognize in emoji form? That question I can answer for you, in picture format.
This is taken from the Bonesmoji.com site where you, too, can buy Jon Jones’ personal line of emojis. What I did appreciate was the knowledge that Jon Jones himself sat on a computer helping to make this list.
The BonesMoji contains over 60 unique emojis depicting the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion’s during iconic career moments. Jones helped to personally curate the content, drawing inspiration from his acclaimed professional career.
That’s totally something I can picture Jon Jones doing. Pouring over a list of emojis; asking “Do you have any of lions?”; approving tiny images of himself waving, smiling and stretching; putting his foot down. “It needs more lion.”
“Jon and I both come from the same hometown in Upstate NY, which made this a logical fit for us. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Jon and First Round Management for this exciting release.” says Oliver Camilo, Founder & CEO of Moji.
I guess I have only my home state to blame.
Daniel Cormier is great on the mic.
Outstanding pic.twitter.com/fKRl1MrfwH
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 28, 2017
Anthony Pettis is being sued, it would seem.
We're refunding participants money. We did all we could to bring him Australia, made over 10K payments to Pettis.
— MMAApparel.com.au (@MMAAPPAREL_AUS) July 28, 2017
Is it possible C.M. Punk could be back in training for another fight?
Seems to suggest C.W. Punk will fight again. pic.twitter.com/fdnvEXp3lf
— FrontRowBrian (@FrontRowBrian) July 27, 2017
These two guys do not care.
When you and your boy both DGAF but you have different ways of expressing it. pic.twitter.com/nAVAz35GJ2
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) July 28, 2017
Let’s not forget the stacked undercard for this fight. Jason “Hick Diaz” Knight is going to throw down with Ricardo Lamas:
"You ready for war? Trying to take my bonus? My name's already on that check." -- Jason Knight pic.twitter.com/skEWkCod0N
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 27, 2017
Slips, Rips, KO Clips
Early Jon Jones was brutal throw Jon Jones ...
Jon Jones vs Moyses Gabin #UFC214 pic.twitter.com/UwDhTw4pvh
— Honky Extraordinaire (@Mr_Honky) July 27, 2017
Jon Jones hit a nice LAT-DROP vs Moyses Gabin in R1 back in 2008 in his last fight before his UFC debut #UFC214 pic.twitter.com/DCpQynVsUX
— Honky Extraordinaire (@Mr_Honky) July 27, 2017
Before Jon Jones was a #UFC #champion--or challenger--he obliterated the regional pro #MMA scene. #UFC214 pic.twitter.com/w5RnPg33az
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) July 27, 2017
Batara with the nice armbar!
Kyra "Mogwai" Batara #CombateClasico pic.twitter.com/7ioX8CReob
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 28, 2017
Smooth ...
Cartwheel right hook by Alberto Montes #CombateClasico pic.twitter.com/2GNthXUH5d
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 28, 2017
Joey Ruquet hellbows #CombateClasico pic.twitter.com/lVAbaIHVZu
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 28, 2017
Israel Adesanya #AFC20 pic.twitter.com/H80DQtVf6h
— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) July 27, 2017
Podcasts and Video
The Fight Society Podcast with Damon Martin:
New #FightSociety podcast on YouTube. @JeremyLoper gives an inside look at how Vince McMahon created Demolition...https://t.co/fDun4Wh22K
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 27, 2017
Good Reads
- Watching Jon Jones explain nonchalantly how he pokes all of his opponents in the eye is a little surreal.
- This piece by Jonathan Snowden on Cyborg’s rocky relationship with UFC is stellar work.
Random Land
Stay woke, Maniacs! Follow me on Twitter @Vorpality