Welcome to Midnight Mania!
For at least this week, we’re going to be trying something new with the Midnight Mania column. Loyal readers fear not, because all of the content will still remain. Rather than pick a lead story for this post each night, we’re going to use this section to review news of the day. MMAmania’s final story of the evening — what would usually be the lead story here — will come out later tonight.
This post, meanwhile, will serve as a chance to chat about the random social media goofiness that is MMA online, as well as recap the news of the day. Hot takes welcome, but first, let’s review three of the biggest stories of the day:
Cain Velasquez sentenced in 2022 shooting: Velasquez is sentenced to five years in prison, but there’s a silver lining here that he’s already accrued about three years of time served. With good behavior, Velasquez should hopefully be free sooner than later, which is likely the best case scenario given the circumstances.
Joe Rogan hates Canada now: I don’t have a hot take here, I’m just sad to see everyone so divided. Canada is beautiful, and I send love to my friends in the North!
4-Second Cheap Shot KO Winner Defends Cheap Shot KO: Just own your legal (but cheap) move, dude. Nobody will remember or care in three weeks.
Insomnia
Jiri Prochazka is bucking trends while being one of the most must-watch athletes on the roster.
Post UFC London, Former UFC champions are now 1-6 in the promotion in 2025.
Jiri Prochazka with the sole victory.
Hill, Adesanya, Strickland, Cejudo, Edwards & Blachowicz have all lost.
— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) March 23, 2025
We’re still playing the Ilia Topuria nickname waiting game.
Ilia Topuria is on the Men’s Health Magazine cover for Spain
according to the cover his new nickname is “el elegido” which translates to “the chosen one” pic.twitter.com/XiMm81cWt4
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) March 24, 2025
Within the next six weeks or so, Australia could have two UFC champions or zero.
Tito Ortiz is my favorite poet.
Nobody wants this, nobody wants this, nobody wants this.
Maybe a trilogy for real.Im in for it
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) March 24, 2025
MMA Underrated is posting a bunch of these styled fight clips, and there are some DEEP CUTS. I’ll include one per night, but I was psyched to actually get this one correct …
Standing in front of Diego Lopes is bad for one’s health.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Freezing up in the face of a big dude whipping uppercuts is understandable but not ideal …
If you beat me this way, my corner better jump you backstage. This cannot be allowed to stand!
When a coach says, “Be first and third,” this is what we’re talking about!
Random Land
I have great respect for the bilingual.
Midnight Music: A different take on a classic!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way. If you’re awake for West Coast midnight, keep an eye out for our final story of the evening, coming from yours truly!
