Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Rising Lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett will be back in the cage sooner than later.
It’s been almost six months since Pimblett shocked Bobby Green with one of the best submissions of the year (watch here). Already riding a five-fight UFC win streak, Pimblett stunned Green and many watching with a slick transition from his back, locking in a triangle choke that put “King” to sleep. The win legitimized Pimblett in a major way, setting him up for a Top 10 foe next.
As for who that opponent will be? There’s yet to be any announcement or signed contract, but Pimblett just dropped a major hint by utilizing a rather specific catchphrase.
“Nice end to the year,“ Pimblett began on his YouTube channel. “I’m in good shape, about 84/85 kilograms. People have been speculating about who I’m fighting, this and that. I’m coming for that belt, so I’m looking to fight higher ranked fighters, and I’m sure you’ll see a fight announcement soon enough. I’ve said yeah. The opponent’s said yeah. Just need to get stuff signed … I’ll see you at the top!”
Former title challenger Michael Chandler has signed off every social media post and plenty of live interviews with “See you at the top” to the point that it’s a known meme. Again, nothing is confirmed yet, but if I were a betting man … I would confidently wager Pimblett vs. Chandler is planned for the UFC London main event on March 22, 2025.
Stand by for confirmation (or refutation) in the likely near future.
Insomnia
One of many slick moments from Oleksandr Usyk over the weekend!
Merab Dvalishvili claims UFC PI staff protected Umar Nurmagomedov from him (and us from a more interesting video):
Combat sports only make it into mainstream media for the messiest of reasons …
Law and crimes leaks Devin Haney wife “Leena Sayed” crying on the jail phone to Young Thug saying “I ONLY WANT U”. Naaa this is nasty work. pic.twitter.com/FtNlEvtSQk
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) December 23, 2024
Speaking of drama, things are getting uglier between Patricio Pitbull and PFL.
My management team had a call with @PeteMurrayPFL tonight and despite making clear my desire to leave and some of my reasons, even noticing my contract is up in May, @pflmma won’t let me go and intends to hold me there against my will. @arielhelwani @DonnDavisPFL (1/4)
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) December 24, 2024
You say you’re fighters first but decided to keep me hostage @DonnDavisPFL @PeteMurrayPFL. You know I want to pursue something else but want me to fight in April and intend to enforce other clauses of my contract after it’s up. How is that the best for me? @arielhelwani (2/4)
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) December 24, 2024
Typical Jiri Prochazka training video.
Gilbert Burns is a bit pessimistic about Colby Covington’s future in MMA.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Early pro careers don’t mean all that much in the big picture, but Aleksandre Topuria is debuting against a really legit prospect …
It’s always really cool when a fighter kicks out their opponent’s ankle as they step into a punch, but there’s a reason it’s rare.
Incredibly fluid kickboxing from a young talent:
Random Land
Vinyl records are basically magic.
Midnight Music: Country, 1970
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
