Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Thursday, July 17, 2025.
- No more PPVs? Turki Alalshikh, DAZN announce end of On Demand model in historic move: ‘It’s damaged boxing’: Combat sports moving away from the PPV model is long overdue!
- UFC 318: Israel Adesanya slams haters trying to ‘discredit’ Dustin Poirier’s interim title win — ‘He is a champion no matter what’: I agree with “Stylebender.” There are some exceptions, but by and large, winning the interim belt makes you a champion in my eyes. On that night, Poirier was the best!
- UFC 318’s Max Holloway has a little warning for MMA fans picking Ilia Topuria to steamroll Paddy Pimblett — ‘He’s super good’: Good thing Ilia Topuria has already made it a habit to steamroll “super good” fighters.
Insomnia
Nobody can ever accuse Nate Diaz of aiming too low.
Nate Diaz wants to fight Ilia Topuria in MMA or the winner of Canelo-Crawford in boxing pic.twitter.com/bcnUqsptwR
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 17, 2025
Maybe Renato Moicano is exaggerating his claim of turning down $200k? It is kind of hard to believe.
I don’t know if Moicano collected his claim but I do know he was not one of the few names left on the list
ADthat had not verified his info & that if he did forfeit it he wouldn’t have gotten close to 200k since he had only 3 fights in the ufc at that time starting at 8/8. https://t.co/HHCnbi5kLY
— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) July 17, 2025
Michael Johnson is bringing some extra motivation to his UFC 318 main card bout versus Daniel Zellhuber.
Michael Johnson blasts Daniel Zellhuber for using "scumbag" tactics to get their #UFC318 fight booked. pic.twitter.com/5KypR5jDYM
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 16, 2025
Michael Johnson to Daniel Zellhuber
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 17, 2025
“You’re probably a fan of mine… that’s your obsession with me. I think it’s a little gay, but it’s okay.” #UFC318pic.twitter.com/wNCVjuujt1
Everyone on X are making things very weird in the replies, but it is difficult not to think of the athletic potential here.
Mya Lesnar makes it official with NFL linebacker from the San Francisco 49ers
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) July 16, 2025
Drew Moss. pic.twitter.com/REkIx17eFv
Max Holloway was already a genuine talent when he debuted at 20 years old, but his growth has been astounding to watch.
From youngest fighter in the UFC to Baddest Motherfer
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 17, 2025
The best is Blessed #UFC318 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/aqbPyweT4Y
I don’t like to find myself agreeing with Brendan Schaub.
"We’re f*cked! The sport (UFC) is dying in America.”
— No Context Ariel Helwani (@NoContextAriel) July 17, 2025
Brendan Schaub on Dana White turning the UFC into WWE, doing interviews and breaking news with the NELK Boys:
“The NELK Boys can’t even name five UFC fighters. Go to Ariel, talk to Luke, Chuck, Petesy… the smartest minds in… pic.twitter.com/7purxgvVjP
Manel Kape has some of the most consistently weird trash talk in UFC history.
Manel Kape says Joshua Van is not on his level:
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 16, 2025
"I can do anything to him. Even Diddy.
I am joking."
@Home_of_Fight / @Jaidencablee pic.twitter.com/aW0zyQy5tX
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Firing two counter punches instead of one is a good idea.
Ribeiro gets the first round KO!! #LFA212 pic.twitter.com/1S6fq9mu5C
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) July 12, 2025
Even at Atomweight, getting caught on one leg can end the fight.
AND STILL Allycia Hellen Rodrigues KOs Johanna Persson with a pair of THUNDEROUS left hooks to retain the ONE Women's Atomweight Muay Thai World Title!
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) July 12, 2025
Watch the full #ONEFightNight33 event replay:
on Prime Link in bio
on https://t.co/eBUfsOlZOd (geo-restrictions… pic.twitter.com/LO51zilWl8
Degli timed that counter right perfectly!
MARCOS DEGLI!! #LFA212 pic.twitter.com/dYaUGyugQ9
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) July 12, 2025
Random Land
Save the rhinos.
Midnight Music: Pop, 1965
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
More from mmamania.com:
- Miocic Responds To Pressure From White And Cormier
- White On ‘Possibly’ Stripping Miocic
- UFC 249 Embedded: Rousey Nearly Knocked Out Cruz?
- Midnight Mania! Sterling Vs. Sandhagen Possible June 6 Headliner
- UFC 249 Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets!
- Khabib Plans July Return, Vows To ‘Smash Them All’
- Video! Jacare Breaks Social Distancing Rules Prior To UFC 249 Removal
