Midnight Mania! Stout Starts GoFundMe For Permanently Disabled Former Foe Fisher

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

This is one of those heart-warming situations that’s actually rather sickening upon deeper thought.

Sam Stout and Spencer Fisher produced one of the best trilogies in UFC Lightweight history. Though no belt traded hands, the two action fighters put forth tremendous efforts in 2006, 2007, and finally 2012. The last bout served as Fisher’s retirement fight, and the final two earned “Fight of the Night” honors.

Unfortunately, Fisher is wearing the effects of a hard career filled with head trauma. MMAFighting did an incredible in-depth article on his health and financial struggles, but now Stout is stepping up to help his former opponent out, creating a GoFundMe for Fisher.

“Spencer Fisher is a MMA pioneer that gave us great fights through his entire career,” the post reads. “He has payed a severe price for his time in the cage. He suffers from serious medical conditions related to his time in combat sports. Please help donate to help him with his medical expenses and supporting his wife and daughters.”

At this author’s time of writing, the GoFundMe has raised $5575.

Additionally, Stout spoke with MMAFighting about the situation. After describing his friend’s situation as “heartbreaking,” Stout elaborated on why he believed UFC should look out for the long-term health of its former athletes.

“It’s always a risky thing to say anything about the UFC’s practices, but we’re talking about a guy that I’ve got a bond with that’s going to last the rest of our lives,” he said. “Spencer’s earned my respect almost more than any other man walking this planet. Just to see him twisting in the wind with no help, it’s really hard for me to watch, because it could have been me.

“I think some things need to change. There’s more information coming to light about CTE and the lasting effects of head injuries. I think ongoing medical coverage for the fighters should be part of their expenses that they need to factor into their business. Sometimes I think they worry about the bottom line more than the people that are making their company the great powerhouse that it is. I think it’s not right and something needs to change.”

Insomnia

This is definitely called “pulling a Cejudo.”

Shoutout to The Fight Site for 1) good quality analysis and 2) the following montage of all John Dodson’s absorbed low blows!

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Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns meet up again after their fight …

This Twitter exchange made me laugh and look forward to Michael Bisping’s next commentary.

Holly Holm explains why she was forced to withdraw from her rematch with Germaine de Randamie.

A bit of wrestling technique:

Marlon Vera is a savage!

In my opinion: should be 15 straight min of fight no 1 min break, we should be able to knee or kick opponent on his knees and yes we can start there.

— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) March 9, 2021

Also, since we’ve talked the illegal knee to death, can we finally take a moment to appreciate just how beautiful Petr Yan’s performance once? He was putting on a masterclass.