Midnight Mania! Long Term Fighter Health Care? F—king Crazy!

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

For the briefest of moments, there was hope. During an Instagram Q&A, UFC President Dana White hinted that some type of long term fighter healthcare was coming “soon.” Of course, it didn’t take long for White to retract that answer, using the age old excuse of … I responded to the wrong person?

At any rate, if there was any ambiguity left after that backtrack, White cleared it up in the UFC 263 post-fight presser. Elaborating further on the issue, White was quick to reference some of the investments UFC has made on brain health studies, but he didn’t believe long term coverage was viable.

“We’re working on stuff like that all the time,” White explained (via BloodyElbow). “We’re working on this brain stuff. We’ve been spending millions and millions of dollars on brain studies for years. And now, all the psychedelic stuff is happening. So, we’re trying to figure out… a lot of guys are interested in that from — we think a lot of guys are interested. So, we’re looking into that. We’re always looking into making things better, safer, and whatever for the fighters.

“I don’t know about healthcare forever. Does anybody have a job where they have healthcare forever when they leave? I mean, that’s pretty f—ng crazy. I don’t think anybody does it.”

Currently, fighters are covered by the promotion with regards to injuries/damage sustained while competing and while in preparation for a bout. Outside of that time frame, however, the independent contractors are on their own.

As for fighters with lingering health issues — like Spencer Fisher — long after their UFC careers are up? GoFundMe and fan generosity is currently their best hope.

Insomnia

The more people that saw Drew Dober vs. Brad Riddell, the better!

Has TJ Dillashaw really embraced the smug villain role or is this smirk just honesty?

Heavyweight Jon Jones is still as quick as they come.

I will watch any Ion Cutelaba fight — the guy is nuts!

Josh Emmett caught a gigantic fish.

I cannot decide what I like more: the slick guard pass or rude face-mugging.

It’s a major bummer that Tim Means will not compete this weekend, but this is arguably a better match up anyway!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Might as well make your opponent a little dizzy before trying to yank off his arm!

Foot to the face:

Against a foe covering up so much, there’s not a lot of reasons not to try something flashy and dangerous.

Random Land

A giant model airplane:

Midnight Music: Judge me if you’d like, but I’m pumped for the forthcoming Lorde album.

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