Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking look back over the three biggest stories of Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Unreliable Khamzat forcing Dricus Du Plessis to prep for UFC 319 replacement — ‘Guess I’m fighting Imavov’: If Khamzat actually pulls out of his title opportunity due to some injury or illness, he will quite literally never be able to live it down.
Why did Islam Makhachev vacate UFC’s lightweight title? ‘He’s beaten everyone in the division, literally’: I wouldn’t quite go that far in describing Islam’s Lightweight resume, but he has certainly earned his shot at a second belt … even if it’s not the biggest match up possible.
Tom Aspinall counters UFC champ Jon Jones, partners with Craig Jones to nullify Gordon Ryan factor: Knowing Craig Jones, he signed on to help Aspinall precisely to irritate Gordon Ryan. It’s nice to have a troll who’s actually clever in combat sports!
Insomnia
In a weird way, Oleksandr Usyk sort of makes sense as a debut MMA opponent for Jake Paul? It would be a huge spectacle, and Paul would theoretically have the wrestling advantage to help even out the massive boxing gap. Acting as Igor Vovchanchyn may have leveled up Uysk’s cage fighting skills though …
The most entertaining moment of Shakur Stevenson’s boxing career?
I would love a “Sean O’Malley reacts to his own impersonator” video.
Kyle Snyder has found a surprising supporter in Sean Strickland.
If Gilbert Burns shows up with a fire under his ass, Michael Morales bettors should be real worried.
You ever wonder how a person arrives at this moment of their life? What choices lead to Street Beefs at this age?
Daniel Rodriguez’s new head tattoo is incredibly well done.
Respect to mitt men around the world.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Every fighter should be training to recognize the ninja choke before it’s too late.
A 6’6” Welterweight who knows how to use his reach? Exciting.
This is a perfectly timed low kick counter.
Random Land
Hard to fathom.
Midnight Music: Rock, 2025
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
