Midnight Mania! Dana: Jedrzejczyk’s Weight Never An Issue, Blames ‘Head Games’ For Controversy

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

For most of the last three days, the status of tomorrow’s UFC “Tampa” main event has seemingly been in jeopardy. Joanna Jedrzejczyk wouldn’t be able to make weight, Michelle Waterson would accept no catchweight, and various options were supposedly explored. Then, Jedrzejczyk made weight this morning without issue, and the whole problem evaporated.

How did it all happen? In an interview with TMZ, UFC president Dana White claims it was all a case of “head games” gone wrong. As is his nature, White provided an excellent rant on the whole topic: “Yes (the fight is happening), this is madness! Yesterday, my partner, ESPN, put up on their ticker tape Joanna Jedrzejczyk didn’t make weight. The weigh-ins are today! It’s been crazy, what has been happening is there’s been some head games going on between two veterans who are fighting in the main event in a fight that is very important in both of their careers and to see who gets the next title shot… all these MMA suckers fall for it because they’re hearing things behind-the-scenes.”

Are we the suckers? Probably! White also noted that Jedrzejczyk came into fight week on Monday lighter than in previous Strawweight fights. Exaggerated controversy or not, we’re now less than 24 hours away from the main event battle, and there’s only one question left: Who ya got?!?

Insomnia

Paulo Costa doing leg presses and blasting low kicks at Gold’s Gym is an odd, yet appropriate combo.

Josh Emmett showing off his fast hands.

Tecia Torres joins the list of pro fighters who’ve recently discussed dealing with mental health issues.

Some great balance on display here:

Dominick Cruz with his trademark footwork:

Alexander Volkanovski seemingly played rugby very much like he fights! Great double leg takedown.

A creative counter from “Karate Hottie.”

Slips, rips, and KO clips

A small advantage turns into a huge flurry:

Kayla Harrison vs. Cris Cyborg is a fight that has to happen at some point, right? Hopefully PFL and Bellator can cooperate to make it happen.

Gerald Meerschaert has a brutal left body kick, but fellow Southpaw Eryk Anders’ stance largely negates that. Can “GM3” adapt tomorrow?

Random Land

Lower your volume before click play, but this is a cool clip as winter approaches!

Midnight Music: Rapper J. Rob The Chief apparently recorded a song that shouts out and is name after “Platinum” Mike Perry, which is immediately more important than whatever nonsense I was listening to!

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