Midnight Mania! Garbrandt Calls Out Yan … In Russia

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Just a few nights ago, Cody Garbrandt’s return to the Octagon was announced, as “No Love” will make the walk in his home state of Ohio in March opposite longtime contender Raphael Assuncao. That’s a tough fight for anyone, but also an opportunity for Garbrandt to get back in the win column and title mix.

However, Garbrandt also just expressed an interest in facing top contender and fellow knockout artist Petr Yan.

UFC Instagram, screenshot via Reddit user u/GiveMeYourShekels

Yan is riding a huge wave of momentum after UFC 245, when he stopped the four-time UFC title challenger in the third round. There’s a fair chance Yan is next in line for the Bantamweight title shot, but Henry Cejudo seems to be doing everything possible to avoid fighting an actual contender.

IF Cejudo does successfully dodge Yan next and IF Garbrandt wins his return bout against Assuncao, this would be one hell of a scrap. A high-profile war unlikely to go the distance, it’s not hard to imagine as a main event in 2020.

Insomnia

As always, Mike Perry brings a unique perspective to the sport, and that’s what I appreciate about “Platinum.” #GiveMikePerryEasyFights2020

UFC “London” is not far off, and it sounds like Jimi Manuwa may be interested in making a return to combat …

People might genuinely be surprised to find out how many really good MMA fighters are mediocre at working the speed bag. It’s simply not a priority for a lot of guys, and rarely will one find a speed bag in Muay Thai gyms.

The “Gentle Art” at work:

Aljamain Sterling is a great example of the danger of a wrestler who can kick well.

It’s probably time for Henry Cejudo to officially drop the Flyweight title.

Conor McGregor is after yet another belt!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Heel to the chin may just be worse than shin to the chin.

In simultaneous punch situations like this, a lot of factors are in play. Perhaps the two most important are speed and head position, as the faster man with his head further off-line is most likely to land clean.

No caption from me needed here, as one of the best striking coaches in the country already provided the analysis on this Rodtang KO:

Random Land

This hilarious article on the infamous Folgers advertisement and its questionable overtones is definitely worth a read.

Midnight Music: An amazing song from an all-time great folk album popped up on the ol’ Discovery Weekly tonight — Joni Mitchell is forever underappreciated.

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