Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
- Watch Dana White end UFC dream of cocky Khabib protege who tried talking his way into ‘Contender Series’ contract: Wrestling one’s way to victory is often frowned upon on Contenders Series, everybody knows the deal.
- Rested Alex Pereira is focused and healthy for UFC 320 rematch with Magomed Ankalaev: ‘No more trips’: “Poatan” side quests were fun while they lasted, but it’s good to see Pereira focused on nothing but “Big Ank.” There can be no excuses this time around …
- Foe to friend? Dricus Du Plessis backs former rival Alex Pereira at UFC 320: I wander if Du Plessis is still considering a 205-pound move after the Khamzat loss? I wouldn’t advise it, but I would watch!
Insomnia
Former Welterweight king Belal Muhammad officially returns vs. rising star Ian Garry on Sat., Nov. 22, 2025 at UFC Qatar! Does this mean Shavkat Rakhmonov will comeback vs. Sean Brady? Lots of moving parts at Welterweight, but UFC Qatar is going to be much better than the average “Fight Night” event.
Fedor Emelianenko still looks strong as an ox at 48 years of age.
In addition to great technique and chaining, Merab Dvalishvili has a physicality to his takedown finishes that few can fighters seem to expect.
The artist series poster outdoes the official production every time.
Can you identify this body-snatching sequence? Answer below tonight’s music if not.
Sometimes I wander what percentage of my articles were directly or indirectly influenced by a dumb Ali Abdelaziz tweet.
Combat sports athletes have no shame.
At UFC Perth last weekend, Rodolfo Bellato secured a Tapology rainbow in his first four UFC appearances.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Thian de Vries stance, framing, and shot selection all remind me a bit of Alex Pereira in this clip.
A young (relatively) Bernard Hopkins picking up one of his career’s best wins:
It’s important to counter kicks, but there are still risks involved.
Random Land
Sometimes, you just gotta admit Goliath has a point and walk away.
Midnight Music: Post-punk, 2015
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
*The outline clip above is a clip of Jack Della Maddalena boxing up Bassil Haffez!
