Midnight Mania: DENIED!
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every quarantined night!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
File this one under: disappointed but not surprised.
Back on Feb. 29, 2020 at UFC Norfolk, Magomed Ankalaev was awarded the first-round knockout victory over Ion Cutelaba. The problem? Cutelaba was definitely not unconscious nor incapable of defending himself. In fact, Cutelaba was throwing a punch as the referee intervened. To compound the issue further, Cutelaba claims he was playing possum and acting, a tactic he’s turned to in the past.
As a result of the early stoppage, the pair were booked for a rematch, and Cutelaba’s management filed an appeal with the Virginia athletic commission. Unfortunately, even when officials make blatantly wrong calls, athletic commissions are loathe to admit their fault.
Per Ariel Helwani, Cutelaba’s appeal was denied, and the loss will stand.
Remember that bizarre Ion Cutelaba vs. Magomed Ankalaev stoppage in Virginia back in February? Cutelaba’s team appealed the TKO stoppage and found out today their appeal was denied, I’m told. It will remain a TKO win for Ankalaev. They were supposed to rematch at 249. TBD now.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 21, 2020
Re-watch the clip below and judge for yourself:
For reference: pic.twitter.com/jfTRgDX8Ap
— Mr. Suave (@ChiicoSuave_) April 21, 2020
While not as blatant as Anthony Johnson’s absurd eye poke “knockout” loss to Kevin Burns back in 2008 (another denied appeal), it’s pretty clear that Cutelaba was still intelligently defending himself. Regardless of whether he was actually hurt, acting, or some mix, “Hulk” was firing back consistently.
These things happen in MMA.
Insomnia
Tito Ortiz quotes always make me feel so coherent:
“My fighting philosophy is: go hard and go home. That’s what it seems like it comes down to. Just push yourself as much as possible during training. Don’t leave the gym without anything. Make sure you try to leave everything in the gym it seems like.” — Tito Ortiz #ClassicTito pic.twitter.com/P8x9XQSGmV
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) April 20, 2020
Tony Ferguson is in a league of his own when it comes to MMA speed bag workouts:
There is still hope for UFC to return on May 9th!
Bit of confusion, it seems, over the UFC’s release that they canceled their next four shows. May 9 (and every Saturday after that) is still their return date plan. The release was to announce that the 4/25, 5/2, 5/9 and 5/16 events won’t be happening in their original cities.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 20, 2020
Jorge Masvidal has been one of the most skilled fighters in the sport since like 2010, and half of his decision losses are at the very least debatable (if not outright awful). Whether you’re a fan of “Gamebred” or not, put some respect on that man’s name!
For people talkin shit bout Jorge Masvidal having double digit losses name me some near 50-fight MMA vets with less. There are very few if any. You fight as much as these guys you lose in this game from time to time. But hype people with 7 fights it’s cool lol
— Brandon The Truth (@Brandon_Nocaute) April 20, 2020
Active 40+ fighters win percentages
Mousasi 83%
Oleynik – 80%
Masvidal – 73%
Overeem – 70%
Cerrone – 70%
Smith – 70%
Dos Anjos – 69%
Lawler – 65%
Arlovski – 57%You don’t go 50-0 in this game there is a reason Khabib possible 30-0 is a big deal
— Brandon The Truth (@Brandon_Nocaute) April 20, 2020
A cool throwback to arguably the most dominant team of its era:
Hopefully Aljamain Sterling is able to get some type of training in soon, because he deserves his spot in the Bantamweight title picture.
I’ve only been blocked by three fighters to date:
Bryan Caraway
Meisha Tate
Dominick Cruz.Some of us aren’t as thick skinned as you may think. #SensitiveCruz ♂️ https://t.co/WeNh0B0Qay
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 19, 2020
Slips, rips, and KO clips
The old days were f*cking nuts.
25 years today: Vale Tudo Japan ’95
After being permanently blinded by an eye gouge, legendary coach Yuki Nakai (135lb) subs Gerard Gordeau (240lb). Despite his vision, Nakai fights twice more that night, submitting Craig Pittman before losing to Rickson Gracie in the VTJ final. pic.twitter.com/qmcbwG4s0C
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 20, 2020
Arm drag to a behind-the-back wrist wrap to a big slam — I love all these things!
It’s… So… BEAUTIFUL pic.twitter.com/kLb9FwRduf
— Catch Wrestling U (CWU) (@CatchWrestling) April 20, 2020
The rolling knee bar is always a risk from turtle/referee’s position!
Random Land
Despite living in California and being a fighter myself — two factors that greatly increase my personal likelihood — I am not a weed guy. Nevertheless, I do feel Midnight Mania is (unintentionally?) a column that appeals more than most to our stoned audience. The blurbs do not require prolonged attention, there’s music, and of course the whole late night, zany vibe at play.
So with that in mind, thanks for reading reefers! Merry 4/20!
happy 4/20 pic.twitter.com/LPzItH4CL5
— (@cake_hoarder) April 20, 2020
Midnight Music: Another Monday, another selection of Discover Weekly tracks to listen to and help narrow my choices!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
https://www.mmamania.com/2020/4/21/21228830/midnight-mania-ion-cutelabas-appeal-controversial-tko-loss-magomed-ankalaev-denied-ufc-espn
