Welcome to Midnight Mania!
UFC 306 anticipation is high.
In a bubble, the card is already quite good. It’s hard to argue with two title fights, particularly when one features one of the sport’s bigger stars and a perfect stylistic foil. Furthermore, Diego Lopes vs. Brian Ortega promises to be one of the year’s best fights between all-action contenders, and the rest of the card is stacked with fun fighters from the first “Prelim” onward.
Adding to the excitement is THE SPHERE! The unique Las Vegas structure has never hosted a live sporting event and certainly not cage fights. UFC CEO Dana White is burning through millions to make this a show to remember, but nobody really knows what a UFC event in the Sphere will look like. Even as details start to trickle out ahead of Saturday night, it’s hard to grasp fully what the promotion intends.
In the latest Contenders Series post-fight press conference, White revealed at least a couple more details en route to a major announcement. The prize is not yet fully confirmed, but White explained that the broadcast will feature many hidden Easter eggs, and that he would like to award an eagle-eyed fight fan able to spot them all a cool $25k.
White explained, “The fight will live inside this world, and the world will evolve while the fights are going on, but it will be very subtle. Clouds will move, fires will burn, birds will fly, whatever the hell is going on in that world at that time — it will slowly evolve during the fight. There are also going to be Easter eggs in each one of these films. We’re working it out with legal right now, but what I want do: if somebody can find all the Easter eggs, we’ll give you $25,000.”
Expect more details and further confirmation (or not) in the coming days.
Insomnia
Merab Dvalishvili is a statistical anomaly … and a general anomaly too.
Gregory Rodrigues is calling for a fight versus Paulo Costa, and I’m all for it! He deserves a step up, and Costa needs a step back.
Bantamweight scrambles are heading to UFC Vegas 100.
What’s the opening betting line for Bo Nickal vs. a chimpanzee?
Khamzat Chimaev trash talk will continue to ring hollow until he’s able to fight consistently.
Recruiting basketball players is one way to prepare for Alexander Volkov!
Jiri Prochazka perhaps keeping his hands a touch higher? I’m looking forward to the return of “BJP!”
Slips, rips, and KO clips
This is a pure Leon Edwards-style clinch elbow.
Body work sets up the overhand, a story as old as MMA.
The best time to spin remains immediately after a failed kick/while regaining stance.
Random Land
This breaks down to 462 pull ups per hour and just under eight per minute. Insane!
Midnight Music: Folk, 1972
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
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LIVE! Watch UFC 306 PPV At The Sphere On ESPN+ Here!
NOCHE UFC AT THE SPHERE! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will stage a once-in-a-lifetime pay-per-view (PPV) extravaganza on Sat., Sept. 14, 2024, to honor Mexican Independence Day during Riyadh Season, an unlikely mashup topped by the Bantamweight main event between reigning champion, Sean O’Malley, and sliced-and-diced No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili. In UFC 306’s championship co-headliner, current Flyweight titleholder, Alexa Grasso, will settle her score with fellow Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 32 coach, Valentina Shevchenko, in the final fight of their epic 125-pound trilogy. UFC 306’s PPV main card (see it here) will also feature Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes, Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng, and so much more! It’s must-watch action from “Sin City!” UFC 306’s start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (Prelims card) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).