Unfinished business! Conor McGregor reignites UFC comeback talks opposite sinking Michael Chandler

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Let’s start the night off by taking look back over the three biggest stories of Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Ilia Topuria is getting his title shot: I have to imagine the rumored injuries to Dricus Du Plessis and Sean O’Malley greatly improved Topuria’s position, and likely the payout for Islam Makhachev as well.

BJ Penn sees dead people: Everything Penn posts is genuinely distressing at this point of the game. It’s hard not to see his story ending in disaster unless he finds professional help.

Paddy Pimblett is fat again, nobody is impressed: I’m going to defend Pimblett a little here. Of the infamous 40 pounds, Pimblett put back probably 20 pounds on by fight night in healthy fashion. He likely gained five-to-ten from the milkshakes and trash food, and then the rest of that weight is water retention from eating too much salt. Just a few days of healthy food, and his face looks less puffy, and he’s back down to probably 185 pounds — manageable.

Insomnia

In the immortal words of Grand Theft Auto’s CJ, “Ahhh s—t, here we go again.” I’m still convinced there’s something to my theory that Michael Chandler is now performing badly enough (unintentionally, to be clear) to draw Conor McGregor back into the game.

This is the worst retirement plan I’ve ever heard. Anthony Smith should accept his future as a real estate agent, cop, or firefighter like everyone else!

European combat sports athletes are always committing more interesting crimes than our US stars.

Featherweight banger alert! Melquizael Costa has really picked up momentum in 2025, and Julian Erosa is another great test for him.

It’s too easy to envision Yoel Romero effortlessly knee sliding across a slick airport tile floor and catching an old woman with ease. At least “Soldier of God” is using his powers for good!

UFC Facebook is an unhinged place.

Jiri Prochazka offers his training philosophy:

Featherweight legends working in the gym:

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Chaos! Here I thought New Zealand was more civilized than this.

Speaking of Oceania, here’s an Aussie prospect to keep an eye on.

The referee really stood him back up just for a Mortal Kombat execution finish.

Random Land

A fun prompt … it’s really hard for me to say anything other that Innervisions here.

Midnight Music: Speaking of …

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