Midnight Mania! Holm Injured, Out Of Next Week’s Main Event

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Holly Holm’s quest for another chance at UFC gold faces a new obstacle. Per a report from Ariel Helwani, Holm suffered a knee injury and has been forced to withdraw from her scheduled main event opposite Norma Dumont, which was planned for October 16 from inside the UFC Apex.

Holm last fought in October 2020, winning in dominant fashion opposite a talented striker in Irene Aldana. Unfortunately, she’s been unable to capitalize on that momentum, as kidney issues forced her out of a planned bout vs. Julianna Pena earlier this year. Like Holm, Dumont has won her last two bouts, but it’s unclear if UFC will attempt to find her a new opponent or rebook this match up later.

This is yet another blow to UFC Vegas 40, which was originally set to be headlined by Miesha Tate vs. Ketlen Vieira before COVID-19 derailed that bout. Unless UFC manages to pull a rabbit from its hat, the new headlining bout will be Andrei Arlovski vs. Carlos Felipe, and the card is otherwise empty of big name talent or ranked fighters.

Only eight fights remain currently booked on next Saturday’s card.

Insomnia

Tyson Fury is winning the war of words ahead of his trilogy match vs. Deontay Wilder.

A necessary development for Bellator:

A new Bantamweight booking between Louis Smolka and Vince Morales is scheduled for December.

A pair of Mike Perry sparring clips — is anyone holding out hope for a “Platinum” renaissance?

A quick check-in on Derrick Lewis’ Instagram posts:

Patricio Freire provides an update for his future, and the Bellator Lightweight title is vacant.

An essential training method:

Slips, rips, and KO clips

I know I just posted a “UFC fight happened on this day” clip last night, but Khabib kicking Conor McGregor’s ass and then Eagle-stomping his crew is an all-time legend moment.

A nasty toe stab straight to the gut:

Twisters are fun, but a bit of the magic is lost once you learn that they’re usually only possible if the defending fighter makes a big mistake (reaching for the head).

Random Land

A young hero in action!

Midnight Music: MMAManiac Liddell’s Mohawk is constantly dropping solid hip-hop recommendations in the comments — he’s far more in the loop than I — so it’s only fair I finally include one here!

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.