Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Somebody might want to check in on Michael Chandler, because Conor McGregor’s extended UFC absence has no end in sight.
After Tuesday’s (Aug. 13, 2024) episode of Contenders Series (full results here), UFC CEO Dana White addressed the media and took questions. When asked about a potential McGregor booking, White revealed that the two had spoken but wasn’t optimistic about the Irish talent fighting in 2024.
“We talked,” White admitted. “We didn’t meet up but we talked. He wants to fight, so we’ll figure it out … not this year, he won’t fight this year.”
It’s a major bummer that the sport’s biggest star continues to stay sidelined, but why? Last we heard, McGregor was hoping for a quick return after pulling out of UFC 303. He only broke his pinky toe, so there’s no medical explanation for why McGregor should be sat for AT LEAST four more months.
Maybe Hollywood came calling again?
Here’s an alternative theory: UFC’s contract with ESPN runs up early next year. The promotion is about to enter negotiations, and having a McGregor pay-per-view on deck could equal serious leverage moving forward … Or perhaps Conor McGregor just continues this song and dance forever and never actually fights again.
There’s no option but to wait and see.
Insomnia
Muay Thai in the flow state:
Looking over this card, I would rate it better than the usual Apex card. Hopefully it doesn’t lose many fights in the next few weeks …
The UFC have announced their full September 7 card taking place at the UFC Apex headlined by Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady with Jessica Andrade vs. Natalia Silva serving as the co-main event.
The rest of the card pic.twitter.com/LcDgq93KS0
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 13, 2024
Shakur Stevenson fights are generally not known for their excitement, but good defense highlights are always impressive to me.
Denis Tiuliulin’s loss to Sedrique Dumas at UFC Vegas 95 sees him released from the roster.
❌ Fighter removed: Denis Tiuliulin
— UFC Roster Tracker (@RosterTracker) August 12, 2024
Sadly, we will not get any Tito Ortiz-esque Councilman BJ Penn stories.
Should we feel bad for fake martial arts masters high on their own supply?
Robert Whittaker providing some very interesting insight in Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya:
Slips, rips, and KO clips
When I talk about punishing takedown attempts in my preview articles, THIS is what I’m talking about!
A wild clip of UFC’s latest Flyweight pick up:
Wild knockouts for any division, let alone 115-pounds.
Random Land
I don’t mean to kink shame, but uhhh … what’s going on here?
Midnight Music: Indie, 2022
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.