FIGHT IS ON!

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

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

UFC 303 is still a few weeks away, but it’s already been a serious rollercoaster for main event athletes Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.

Just a few days ago, McGregor canceled all upcoming media obligations at the lsat minute, abruptly undoing a sold-out presser in Dublin, Ireland. “Obstacles outside of our control” were the official (and vague) excuse from “The Notorious,” but other rumors quickly surfaced of an alleged a minor injury. A day later, UFC “feelers” were sent out in search of a possible new main event options, and full blown panic initiated. Chandler didn’t help matters by abandoning his fight camp in Florida to return home to Nashville, and UFC CEO Dana White refused to address the issue directly.

Nobody was happy about the lack of clarity.

Just as all signs were pointing towards cancellation, veteran MMA reporter Ariel Helwani announced “great positivity” that the fight would happen as scheduled. A wide-smiling McGregor posted a flexing photo on Instagram, generating a bit more optimism. Now, the ball is really rolling, and Chandler himself is confirming the fight will go on as planned.

“The fight is happening,” Chander said on The Pivot Podcast. “Where we are right now, yeah, there’s a lot of speculation but the fight is on. June 29th, it’s happening.”

Max Holloway can rest easy.

It’s been the better part of three years since McGregor was last seen in the Octagon, the result of a brutal leg break suffered in his last bout versus Dustin Poirier. Chandler’s last appearance also resulted in a loss to “The Diamond,” who choked out Chandler in the third round of a wild brawl about 19 months ago.

Insomnia

I make no guess as to who wins, but a knockout feels promised.

Movsar Evloev wants to fight anyone, and Diego Lopes wants a second shot at Evloev. I see no problem here?

A UFC veteran since October 2016, Marc Diakiese ends his UFC career with an 8-7 record.

According to Muay Thai legend Liam Harrison, One Championship screwed him over on weigh-in day and has refused to admit its mistake.

I haven’t seen the end result, but Alex Pereira would appear to be a man of many talents.

Shavkat Rakhmonov only posts like once a month and always from the most majestic locale you’ve ever seen.

Cory Sandhagen with a bit of motivation.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Incredible power of this hook, but what a shocking reaction!

The most unique head kick KO I can remember posting.

Mike Perry really has built up a fun bare knuckle highlight reel in a short time.

Random Land

Nature in art, art in nature.

Midnight Music: Punk, 1981

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