Midnight Mania! Joshua Opens As Colossal Betting Favorite
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Earlier today (Fri., Jan. 5, 2024), news broke that lineal UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was heading back to the Riyadh Arena in Saudi Arabia, this time to face former Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua. Once again, “The Predator” has secured one of the biggest names in boxing, though it will delay his MMA return until later than expected in 2024.
The combat sports world is going wild over the new match up, but what about the bookies? Unsurprisingly, early betting odds have Joshua as a significant favorite. At the time of writing, BetOnline.ag lists Joshua as a -500 favorite, with Ngannou coming in as a +325 underdog.
Anthony Joshua is a MASSIVE favorite against Francis Ngannou
(Odds via @betonline_ag) pic.twitter.com/RnyAaFnu0k
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) January 5, 2024
While those are certainly wide odds, Ngannou’s performance last year opposite Tyson Fury did earn him some respect, as he entered his bout versus “The Gypsy King” as a 10-1 underdog. Though he didn’t quite score the upset win, a knockdown and subsequent split-decision loss really proved that Ngannou could compete with the best in the ring.
We’ll find out March 9 if he can do it again.
Insomnia
Belal Muhammad heading to Dagestan ahead of his alleged UFC 300 title shot vs. Leon Edwards certainly seems like a tip of the hand in regards to his game plan.
It seems @bullyb170 will be heading off to Dagestan for a training camp with @TeamKhabib and team pic.twitter.com/w1sXzoNHlX
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) January 5, 2024
Sean O’Malley continues the beef with Ilia Topuria:
Couple things here.
1st. Teenagers places ? No understando
2nd. Let’s make a bet on PPV numbers.
100k cash whoever’s PPV is bigger. If you don’t have 100k that’s fine you can do 4 payments of 25k.
3rd. Conor doesn’t know who you are. https://t.co/V7e2gC7Q5D— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) January 4, 2024
This thread of funny MMA offense gave me a good chuckle, it’s worth clicking through.
Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler II
Nick was coming of a very long layoff and starts the fight with a wild two touch kick, striking fear in Robbie’s heart. pic.twitter.com/1SounLYYlI
— Yazko (@YazkoMotashobi) January 4, 2024
Ciryl Gane vs Francis Ngannou
While getting controlled on the ground by a Francis, Gane tries to poke Francis with his french wand which resulted in Francis punching it making as flat as an Ipod pic.twitter.com/2RwrF23NW7
— Yazko (@YazkoMotashobi) January 4, 2024
Liam Harrison is always getting violent on pads.
Liam Harrison feeling better than ever and there’s only one fight he’s willing to put his himself and his body through the wringer for…Seksan
( : @LiamBadco/ Instagram) pic.twitter.com/xnlHLFb4OP
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) January 5, 2024
Takeru reacts to Rodtang’s injury, subsequent withdrawal, and replacement by Superlek ahead of his One Championship debut.
My opponent for my ONE debut at January 28th Rotang has been canceled and changed to Superlek and I’m going to fight for the one championship world title.
I have been preparing to fight Rotang for a long time and sacrificed many things for this fight so I was shocked and… pic.twitter.com/SvpjyQk8c5— 武尊 takeru (@takerusegawa) January 5, 2024
For being an elite top control fighter, Khabib’s bottom game was incredible in the few instances it made an appearance.
Khabib pulling off high level BJJ Guards in MMA pic.twitter.com/sQ1agzbH3b
— 24hourMMA (@24hoursMMA) January 5, 2024
Bantamweight banger alert!
Raul Rosas Jr. will fight Ricky Turcios at #UFCMexico on February 24th. #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/xVWXDez5MI
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) January 5, 2024
The amount of weird Twitter nerds upset at Tom Aspinall for wanting a chance at fighting for undisputed gold is shocking.
I’m just trying to be the best and fight the best people. I know that’s hard for a lot of people to get their head around. Don’t be so triggered guys
— Tom Aspinall (@AspinallMMA) January 5, 2024
Do you like or dislike Dan Hooker’s recent physical transformation?
Dan’s tattoo transformation has been wild pic.twitter.com/eUmcPAlQlb
— MMA Daily + MEMES (@mmadailymemes) January 5, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
It’s not hard to imagine how an elbow at this angle cut create gnarly cuts and stop fights.
Jongrak Kai-Adisorn finishing Panomtuanlek Hapalang with two uppercut elbows pic.twitter.com/Xm6CSnVjti
— Muay Thai Scholar (@MuayThaiScholar) January 5, 2024
Love a media member with professional fighting experience.
11 years ago, #OnThisDay Laura Sanko submitted Cassie Robb in the 2nd round at Invicta FC 4. pic.twitter.com/l72rRqbvgg
— Josh (@JUchiha909) January 5, 2024
Beautiful body shots set up a perfect right hand connection:
Murad Khalidov def. Baga Agaev by a brutal R2 KO at Nashe Delo pic.twitter.com/EHWa3I1MSm
— Matysek (@Matysek88) January 5, 2024
Random Land
Insane tetris skills.
13-year-old makes history as probably the first person ever to beat original Tetris
pic.twitter.com/oMYI6TDq1V— World of Engineering (@engineers_feed) January 5, 2024
Midnight Music: Alt. country, 1965
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
https://www.mmamania.com/2024/1/6/24027473/midnight-mania-anthony-joshua-opens-colossal-betting-favorite-francis-ngannou-boxing-saudi-arabia