Midnight Mania! ‘This Guy Fights And Looks Like A Middle-Aged Dutch Woman’

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

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Neither Jake Paul nor Ben Askren is afraid of a bit of trash talk. In fact, a good portion of the appeal is likely the verbal slams and personalities involved — the fight certainly isn’t being sold on their boxing abilities!

Still roughly two months away from the fight itself, the trash talk has been continually flowing. Speaking with TMZ Sports, Paul actually was thankful for Askren’s help with promotion … before immediately burying the wrestler and his recent heavy bag workout.

“It’s funny, bro. I’m starting to like Ben, oddly enough,” Paul said (transcription via BJPenn.com). “He’s funny. He’s entertaining me right now. I thought that was hilarious. I thought, ‘Bro, what are you doing?’ Like what is that? And it looks like his hands are so small. It looks like he has tiny hands in that video.”

“Hopefully, he’s just joking. Hopefully, he’s just trolling. But Ben’s doing a good job to promote the fight, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to knock him out in one round. This guy fights and looks like a middle-aged Dutch woman.”

Insomnia

Dustin Poirier and Rose Namajunas will be on a TV near you during the Super Bowl commercials!

Markus Perez with an interesting approach to career management — rebuilding isn’t a bad move, but it is easier to train and improve when you’re not destitute on the regional scene.

Weili Zhang appears to be working on her counter punching/fighting from her back foot.

Anthony Pettis in slow-mo:

Do not sleep on Beneil Dariush vs. Carlo Diego Ferreira 2, it’s going to be awesome!

Fake martial arts, real entertainment!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

For my money, Cory Sandhagen is one of the most skilled strikers on the roster.

This beautiful jump switch knee was the perfect choice to cover the extra bit of distance as his opponent exited the clinch.

Every punch thrown connected, but the final counter proved the knockdown shot.

Random Land

Tony Hawk is still doing badass skateboard tricks at 52!

Midnight Music: English rock band Black Country, New Road released their debut album For the First Time today, and it rules. Long and noisy instrumental passages, whispered vocals that elevate into desperate yells, and a constant undercurrent of tension even during the quiet bits — all the good aspects of noise rock! It’s the type of record that immediately made me think, “I need to see these guys live” … which then made me sad.

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