Welcome to Midnight Mania!
The Welterweight title picture is clearing up.
It’s been just over a month since Kamaru Usman demolished Jorge Masvidal for yet another title defense, but the next fighter in line at 170 lbs. has been unclear. Colby Covington has been angling for a rematch (and been shut down), Stephen Thompson is desperately pleading his case (but no one’s listening), and Leon Edwards eye-poked his way out of a potential title opportunity.
As it turns out, Covington did not have to show Usman anything after all! Despite sitting on the sidelines since his September 2020 victory over Tyron Woodley, the strength of Covington’s performance opposite Usman in their first bout will see him take on the champion once again. In a comment replying to Kevin Iole’s Instagram live about “The Nigerian Nightmare,” UFC President Dana White commented, “Colby Covington is next.”
Since the first bout, Covington has only competed once, scoring the aforementioned stoppage opposite Woodley. Usman, meanwhile, has defended his title three times in that span, most recently scoring violent knockout wins over Masvidal and Burns. Usman has showcased tangible improvement in the time since the first bout — it’s more difficult to say the same about “Chaos.”
Anyone predicting an upset in round two?
Insomnia
Special athletes have VISION!
I didn’t know Diego Sanchez had an OnlyFans, let alone that Joshua Fabia was secretly running it. Bizarre!
This is Diego I’m back! To my fans I have to be honest I have nothing to do with Diego Sanchez @onlyfans that was all Joshua fabia and Rebbeca Hidalgo his assistant. So please don’t entertain the illusion and I’m sorry if some loyal fans thought they were talking to me in the DM.
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) June 2, 2021
Henry Cejudo managed to remain in cringe character even while proposing — that’s dedication.
Rodtang calls for a rematch with Tenshin Nasukawa!
What are the odds that Logan Paul makes it out of the first round? They cannot be good.
If Lyoto Machida says the way to build accuracy is to punch a very small section of a wooden board, well, everyone should listen to “The Dragon!”
Slips, rips, and KO clips
You can tell from stance alone — though the head snaps are telling too — that this woman knows her stuff prior to the beatdown.
A brutal overhand to walk into …
This is almost exactly how Ronaldo Souza knocked out Derek Brunson.
Random Land
This clip is everywhere, and it rules.
Midnight Music: UK math rockers Black Midi are more erratic, noisy, and (surprisingly) jazzy than ever on their new LP Cavalcade, which dropped last week.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.