Midnight Mania! CSAC Withholds Purse Following ‘Unusual’ Knockout Loss

Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

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

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Alexander Flores was not expected to do well against Luis Ortiz. Ortiz closed the bout as roughly a 21-1 favorite per SportsBettingDime, and sure enough, Flores was knocked flat on the canvas in just 46 seconds. But, was he really knocked out or did he take a dive?

That seems to be the issue at hand for the California State Athletic Commission, who has yet to allow Flores his $80,000 purse. Instead, there will be a hearing to explain “the unusual nature of the fight being stopped,” per The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger.

“I want to be very clear that all we’re doing is taking some time to review it,” CSAC executive director Andy Foster said to The Athletic (transcription via BloodyElbow). “ … We’re not saying (he) did anything wrong at all. We need to take a look at this a little more than we have because (the conclusion) raised some questions. … We just need more information.”

Fortunately, there are highlights of the knockout, so everyone can judge for themselves. There is a clear impact of the forearm against Flores’ chin, but it does not appear the type of impact that would down a boxer with over 20 professional bouts.

It’s not exactly a Bob Sapp fight, but it is all a bit questionable. We’ll see if anything comes from the hearing in due time!

Insomnia

Rafael dos Anjos is an absolute legend. A real percentage of that 7 hours came against seriously tough competition, champions and top contenders.

It warms my heart to see any sign that RIZIN is doing well. We need a fun promotion in Japan doing weird stuff and putting on great fights!

Jared Gordan and Paul Felder have a top-tier bromance.

Holly Holm’s fitness is always really impressive.

I’m kind of shocked this didn’t turn into a full-on brawl.

I don’t even fully understand the message of this MMA cartoon, but Israel Adesanya in a singular bikini strap is good that it’s a mandatory inclusion.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Alexander Romanov scored a forearm choke finish over the weekend inside the Octagon, which is absolutely nuts that such a move could work in the best promotion. However, the clip below is even crazier:

Southpaw 101: Take an angle, fire the left.

One of the weirder shoulder lock setups I’ve ever seen!

Random Land

Team work!

Midnight Music, Benavidez edition #2: Reasons from the man himself, “it came on in the sauna, and it’s a nice, classic jam that not everyone has heard of.”

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