Midnight Mania Highlights: Craig Jones Via Showtime Triangle?!?

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

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Jiu-jitsu black belt Craig Jones is on a wave all his own. The two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) silver medalist and head of Austin, Texas’s B Team Jiu-Jitsu has become a prominent figure in MMA in recent years, in large part because he’s become a top grappling coach for fighters. Jones has worked extensively with former champions Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski, notably helping Volkanovski deal with Islam Makhachev’s dominant ground game.

Craig has also made it a habit of strangling UFC fighters in effortless fashion. In the highlight clip above, Craig takes on UFC Welterweight veteran Phillip Rowe — a black belt in his own right — at the Karate Combat 44 event in Mexico City, Mexico, which took place on Friday (Feb. 23, 2024).

Early in the match, Craig uses an overhook and wrist control to shove Rowe into the slanted walls of the Karate Combat pit. As Rowe leans into the wall, Craig jumps for a flying triangle, partially kicking off the pit in the process. It’s not quite the “Showtime” kick, but it is yet another impressive display of creativity from the Australian.

Insomnia

Tony Ferguson listened to this speech and heard, “Don’t ever retire. You can still be champion. CSO!”

Takeru is wildly tough, and Superlek’s shin must be like iron. How does shin beat knee?!?

I’m enjoying the rise of Georgian MMA. Poor Guram Kutateladze is bring the average down despite being quite good!

Yair Rodriguez has to be one of the most unique fighters in UFC history. Nobody kicks like him!

A less friendly Alex Pereira sparring clip than last night …

The last time a former Welterweight champion went up to Middleweight and fought Paulo Costa, it didn’t end so hot.

Watching high-level fighters goof around with martial arts is fun.

Inject top-notch unranked Lightweight match ups into my veins.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Nasty neck crank angle on this anaconda choke:

How many Strawweight knockouts have you seen that look like THIS? Tina Black is probably UFC bound after that right hand.

Not for the squeamish!

Random Land

Panda diplomacy is my new favorite term.

Midnight Music: Doom metal, 2000

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