Midnight Mania! ‘Poatan’ Back In Sparring 48 Hours After Jiri KO

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

2024 might just be the year of Alex Pereira.

“Poatan” picked up his second Light Heavyweight title defense over the weekend by knocking out Jiri Prochazka (watch here), stepping up on short-notice to save the UFC 303 fight card … not long after he stepped up to headline UFC 300 with an equally devastating KO! Pereira has headlined two of the year’s most high-profile cards to massive results, building himself into one of the sport’s biggest stars in the last six months.

It’s certainly been a very lucrative year so far.

Perhaps Pereira isn’t done adding to his legacy in 2024? Prior to UFC 303, Pereira spoke about taking a couple months off, because he has been fighting at a very hectic pace by elite MMA standards. He may have changed his plans, however, as Pereira is already back in the gym! In the video above, Pereira spars in a controlled fashion with his partner, as well as doing other live technical drills like trading combo-for-combo.

Maybe October against Magomed Ankalaev is a possibility? Pereira barely took a shot against Prochazka, and by his standards, a trip to Abu Dhabi in the fall isn’t that quick of a turnaround.

The other interesting angle here is that Pereira is possibly medically suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). The UFC 303 medical suspension information hasn’t been publicly released yet, but it’s fairly standard for commissions to advise no contact for a week even in clear-cut, punishment-free victories like Pereira’s knockout win over Prochazka.

Maybe they’re aware “Poatan” is simply built different.

Insomnia

I’m now fully a believer in Alex Pereira magic, “Poatan” power, and his Light Heavyweight reign. I’m done picking against him. Pereira forever.

Do we get a knockout or the worst fight of the night? Classic undercard Heavyweight MMA booking.

Regardless of intent, this quote is hilariously disrespectful. Renato Moicano is really good! He has better wins than Turner by a fair margin!

Mark Hunt does not have strong expectations for the UFC Sphere.

A great show of respect from Dan Ige and Diego Lopes.

Sean Strickland beating up a tired sparring partner:

Some fight fans need a second hobby.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Good read on the uppercut, Bigdash was ducking when met with the cross.

Left hand counter shot completely finished this fight; the rest of the combo was just for show.

At 16-0 with 13 stoppage wins, just how good is Magomed Umalatov?

Random Land

I genuinely didn’t know ouroboros was more than a symbol, something that happened in reality.

Midnight Music: Soft rock, 1970

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