Welcome to Midnight Mania!
All eyes have been on Artem Vakhitov forward of his Contenders Sequence foremost occasion slot versus Islem Masraf, which wrapped up earlier on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024) from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Why was everybody so fascinated with a 2-1 Mild Heavyweight?
Being a Glory champion actually separates him from the pack at bit, however the actual reply is that he’s the final man to defeat Alex Pereira in kickboxing! After the entire Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira saga within the Octagon, we all know simply how substantial a rivalry from the ring to the cage may be. These two fought twice in 2021, and their connection was sufficient that Pereira — who simply fought 4 bloody rounds in Utah three days in the past — flew in to attend his kickboxing rival’s combat.
Vakhitov hit a little bit of bother early in opposition to Masraf, discovering himself managed in shut quarters. Masraf didn’t really handle to take down the striker, however Vakhitov was getting pinned to the fence for a good portion of the primary. Fortuitously, he made it rely when he did create separation. Masraf was a contact winded from the grappling, leaving him very susceptible to a sequence of proper arms.
Try the knockout clip under:
With the knockout, Vakhitov improves to 3-1 as knowledgeable. Regardless of the win and historical past with “Poatan,” it was nonetheless up within the air whether or not Vakhitov would rating the contract, as a result of he has little or no cage time general and confirmed some wrestling inexperience within the bout. UFC CEO Dana White turned to Pereira for recommendation, and the Brazilian acknowledged his former foe as expert and skilled sufficient for UFC competitors.
It will likely be very thrilling to see Vakhitov’s profession develop. He’s nonetheless a good distance from incomes an MMA rubber match versus the champion, however Adesanya and “Poatan” each demonstrated that elite kickboxers are able to quick rises up the ladder. If nothing else, any injection of expertise at 205-pounds is sorely wanted!
Insomnia
It’s cool to see fan artwork of unranked fighters, though I don’t know that Bryan Battle will maintain that standing for for much longer.
Khalil Rountree motivating his crew!
Retired UFC fighter Tim Kennedy one way or the other discovered his approach onto Final Week Tonight, and it’s not as a result of he discovered Hitler.
Renato Moicano and firm have launched probably the most correct theoretical UFC wage numbers but.
There’s just one Nick Diaz.
Joshua Van is a glutton for punishment. That is going to be an ideal combat, however I see no approach it doesn’t finish with these two taking lumps out of one another.
In different Flyweight information, Tatsuro Taira is the principle occasion and does very cool stuff on the canvas. Click on by for the total thread!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Being a kickboxing legend from a number of many years in the past, sadly, is just not a great recipe for fulfillment in 2024.
The ten finger guillotine all the time creates such disagreeable strain on the neck and backbone. Blue ought to’ve tried kicking off the fence, it bizarrely works typically.
Stand-and-bang till anyone falls down!
Random Land
Browsing the inexperienced!
Midnight Music: Chappell Roan has taken over the pop world within the final 12 months or so, and I lastly bought round to listening to her work. I like an earworm refrain!
Sleep nicely Maniacs! Extra martial arts insanity is all the time on the best way.
