Welcome to Midnight Mania!
A couple weeks ago, Beneil Dariush put on one of the best performances — and best fights! — of the month opposite Carlos Diego Ferreira, ending the Brazilian’s win streak and extending his own to six straight wins. Daruish has been hoping that strong victory and all his other great performances would be enough to break through from dark horse contender to high-profile fights.
Specifically, Dariush is targeting Charles Oliveira, one of the Lightweights on the shortlist for the next title shot.
“Listen, the guy comes out and throws a bunch of flying knees, a bunch of kicks, a bunch of weird stuff, and you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to walk through all of it.” Dariush told ESPN (transcription via MiddleEasy). “I don’t know how, but I’m going to walk through all of it.
“I’m going to grab him, he’s going to think he’s going to take me down. He’s not, I’m going to take him down. He’s going to try submissions, they’re not going to work and it’s just going to be a dog fight until one dog gives up and I’m pretty sure that’s not going to be me.”
Of course, Oliveira has his eyes set on the title, so there’s a real chance Dariush’s callout goes unanswered. On that note, Dariush has some words for Lightweights who will only look ahead in the rankings, rather than take on all comers.
“Bro, I thought we were fighters. Why is everybody so civilized all of a sudden and why is everybody like, low risk high reward. I feel like I’m working with businessmen,” he explained. “When I was ranked number seven… they offered me (Michael) Chiesa who wasn’t ranked, and I said sure. I lost the fight, which sucks, but I lost.
“Then right after that fight, I fought James Vick. I took it on short notice just because I didn’t feel good about myself, I jumped back in. At the time he had never been knocked out, he was 5-0 in the UFC. I was still ranked, I was ranked top ten, I took the fight with him not ranked, still went out there…
“It’s like, they call you to fight. Isn’t that what you signed up for, to fight? Just say yes.”
Insomnia
Funny enough, a fighter’s legs are likely to hurt pretty bad whether he’s the one throwing lots of low kicks or absorbing them.
I didn’t realize how much you need calves to walk
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 15, 2021
Two big Eastern European lads will throw down:
Matt Serra shows off his skill in the gi.
Poor “T-Wood.”
This is a definite loss for MMA coverage, Anatomy Of A Fighter was quality content!
I am not going to be around the sport of MMA much longer. I see my light at the end of the tunnel approaching.
— Anatomy of a Fighter (@WillHarrisAOAF) February 15, 2021
Saenchai and Buakaw having fun with their sparring session:
A Tale of Two Tweets, featuring Mike Perry!
I would like to fight at middleweight 185lbs. There are three competitors that come to mind. Joaquin Buckley Kevin Hollyn and Darren till
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) February 16, 2021
I was just feeling fat and hungry last night and I know that cutting weight to 170 isn’t going to be easy
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) February 16, 2021
Slips, rips, and KO clips
A throwback boxing beatdown:
There is nothing better than really bizarre street fighting techniques.
A pretty tremendous left hook scores the major upset!
Random Land
The Texans that are not freezing to death are having fun in the snow.
An important sport’s moment.
Midnight Music: Here’s a great track from XTC, a New Wave group equal parts influential and catchy!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.