Midnight Mania! Barboza Vs. Ige Likely For May 16 Event

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/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!

We have a potential BANGFEST on our hands, as Combate has reported that Edson Barboza and Dan Ige are likely squaring off on Sat., May 16, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 176 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Times have been difficult for Edson Barboza, who has won just one of his last five bouts. At one point, he requested his release from UFC entirely, and this Featherweight move does seem like a strange one. However, it is worth mentioning that the Brazilian’s sole win in that period was a dominant display against current top Lightweight contender Dan Hooker, and he arguably deserved the nod against Paul Felder too.

Simply put, Barboza is still plenty dangerous.

Meanwhile, Ige has turned a corner after a disappointing debut and put together a hell of a five-fight win streak over the likes of Mirsad Bektic and Kevin Aguilar. Ige has developed a formidable kickboxing attack to go along with his nasty top game. It seems like a very real challenge for both men: Barboza will be forced to deal with another pressure fighter, while Ige will face the most serious knockout threat of his career.

Who ya’ got?!?

Insomnia

An old lesson returns to the forefront: do not stand beneath the apple/can/whatever.

I cannot decide if Zabit Magomedsharipov looks like he’s sent by the holy powers above or is one of the four horseman of the apocalypse.

Ripping apart his scrotum has proven to be Bryce Mitchell’s ultimate trump card. What trash talk is more vicious?

I’m not trying to argue Kamaru Usman as a charismatic superstar, but he gets too much flack. He’s been winning all the while!

A universal reaction:

On one hand, it would be cool if UFC could avoid conflicts of interest such as the example below. However, it is also interesting to see how the commentators handle it. Dominick Cruz himself always tends to favor his team mates, whereas Daniel Cormier seems especially harsh on them!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Slow-mo of a crushing left hook:

I like the second KO better because it seems less like an execution.

These two threw down like they’re headlining MSG!

Random Land

Two days, two impressive marine mammals!

Midnight Music:

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