Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Lamont Roach isn’t done with Gervonta Davis just yet.
Over the weekend (Sat., March 1, 2025), Roach stepped into the ring as a massive underdog against “Tank.” Widely dismissed by just about everyone ahead of time, the WBA Super-Featherweight champion shocked the boxing world by not only holding his own versus Davis, but standing in the pocket and trading with the feared puncher. Even “Tank” seemed surprised by his opponent’s slickness and comfort in the pocket, and he was forced into a competitive fight that lasted all 12 rounds.
As is so often the case with high-profile boxing matches, the decision caused major controversy (see scorecards). The bout was ruled a draw, which isn’t egregious on its own despite a fair amount of fans and pundits scoring it for the underdog. The bigger issue is that Davis was allowed to take a knee without a knockdown ruled against him, and it’s also weird that his corner was allowed to wipe his face off in the middle of an active rounds — that’s not allowed!
Watch for yourself here.
Davis claims the kneeling incident was a result of hair grease in his eye, but the boxer is still not allowed to call his own timeout. Roach is widely expected to appeal the decision due to the various controversies and failures in officiating, and per recent social media posts, he really expects the draw to be overturned to a victory in his favor.
Word round the block yall fav fight finna be 30-1 not 30-0-1… 2X x 2 Division champ
— Lamont Roach Jr (@OneOf1x) March 3, 2025
“Word round the block yall fav fight finna be 30-1 not 30-0-1… 2X x 2 Division champ”
Athletic commissions are generally loathe to admit fault and overturn decisions, but there is some precedent. Back in June 2024, Devin Haney recovered his undefeated record after the Ryan Garcia drug test failure and subsequent overturned decision. Roach could indeed still steal away Davis’ undefeated record, which seems like a surefire way to guarantee a rematch.
Stay tuned for word on an official appeal, which is likely to be filed sooner than later.
Insomnia
If Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones fails to materialize, should Jailton Almeida be next-in-line for a shot at Heavyweight gold?
It’s not an easy gig to be the UFC’s default guy to test prospects.
The lat drop is undeniably one of the coolest techniques in wrestling.
RIP to one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
In honor of his untimely passing, here’s a brief on some of the techniques the , Buvaisar Saitiev, used to capture his third Olympic and ninth international gold medal in 2008 at 33Saitiev holds the record for the most gold medals in men’s freestyle post-USSR breakup pic.twitter.com/WCL4ZGKXto
— Aspiring BlastDoublecel (@DiamondElbows) March 3, 2025
Saitiev seemed to defy the conventions of positioning with his tall, upright stance, but keeping his lead hand low by his knee formed a defensive triangle that almost dared opponents to shoot onto his hand. That was his downblock, opening up his active and dynamic front headlock pic.twitter.com/hTzGhp6mIi
— Aspiring BlastDoublecel (@DiamondElbows) March 3, 2025
When handfighting, Saitiev would seek out his head outside underhook and collar tie as a home base position. While he was a threat from settled ties, as we’ll see later, he was a master at rhythmnic mixups between ties to make opponents bite and open up entries or snaps pic.twitter.com/pedTalcbZZ
— Aspiring BlastDoublecel (@DiamondElbows) March 3, 2025
Saitiev’s constant feints allowed him to shoot from space, where he was a smooth finisher. His chain wrestling often incentivized opponents into seeking stable comfort positions to defend, where he’d off-balance them and finish the takedown. pic.twitter.com/C5tQ5YrWPP
— Aspiring BlastDoublecel (@DiamondElbows) March 3, 2025
Reportedly, legendary wrestler and healthy 49 year old Buvaisar Satiev died because he either fell out of a window or was defenestrated.
Very normal circumstances, I’m sure! pic.twitter.com/jJrfvy5hMB
— Luke Thomas ️♀️ (@lthomasnews) March 3, 2025
Humility and self-awareness are key in life.
The gift that keeps on giving …
Good luck calling a foul with this crew!
Muhammad Mokaev isn’t impressed with Manel Kape’s recent performance, but is this really the beef to reignite after how flat the actual fight was?
Dirty fighter Popped on steroids Eye poked and didn’t even stopped , when I eyed poked you I stoped and let you recover!
I apologised for whatever happened between us and I thought it ended but you still talking shit about me in every interview! because live in your head ,… pic.twitter.com/VAIuJiRgcm
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 2, 2025
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Throwing side kicks then wading forward with punches — Karate Combat existed 45 years ago indeed.
45 years ago today, the Karate legend and undefeated PKA World Middleweight champion Bill “Superfoot” Wallace fought the United States champion Ray McCallum in a Full Contact classic. pic.twitter.com/SEy4t3Sfl6
— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) March 1, 2025
Circled directly into the spin …
CO ZA NOKAUT #FEN58
Konrad Delekta ciężko nokautuje obrotowym back-fistem Patryka Rascha już w pierwszej rundzie pojedynku
Transmisja: Polsat Sport Fight, Super Polsat pic.twitter.com/xgR0ec1Xmr
— FEN MMA (@fenmma) March 1, 2025
Excellent example of pushing the head down and then punishing a failed takedown attempt.
Random Land
Skin deep painting.
Midnight Music: Indie rock, 2011
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
