Welcome to Midnight Mania!
The UFC event scheduled for May 13 is starting to take shape. The headlining clash between Anthony Smith and Johnny Walker was announced a few weeks ago, and now MMA Junkie is reporting that a clash between Strawweight talents Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill will join the Light Heavyweights.
Dern competes in the No. 7 ranked contest at 115 pounds. The jiu-jitsu ace has lost two of his last three fights, but each of those losses has come in hotly contested battles in the main event slots. His last fight came against Yan Xiaonan, a five-round battle that saw Dern nearly claim victory in the dying moments of a home and away fight.
She’ll be looking to bounce back against No. 12-ranked Hill, who is riding a two-fight winning streak over Emily Ducote and Lupita Godinez. The latter was a big statement for Hill, who simultaneously avoided a four-game losing streak and shut down one of the hottest prospects in the division. Hill is a respected veteran who has faced many of the best strawweights alive, usually forcing some really competitive fights.
Will Dern’s grappling reign supreme, or will Hill be able to keep this one standing?
Insomnia
Look, I know there’s already a whole article on this and everyone’s probably seen the clip, but watch it again. Dustin Poirier publicly slapping a 40-year-old jerk who went to the arts and crafts store to make a sign that talks about his wife? Inject this sequence into my veins.
Dustin Poirier SLAPS fan, and almost jumps out of Jeep to fight him over the “your wife is in my DMs” sign during the parade.
Who got it wrong here?
In my opinion, the fan is an asshole and shouldn’t antagonize a fighter like that expecting him to not…well…fight. pic.twitter.com/dU0CQvKU4y
— FunkyScouser (@FunkyScouser) February 21, 2023
It’s rare to see failed drug tests in Bellator given the lack of random testing, but they do happen!
Sidney Outlaw tested positive for three banned substances in an out-of-competition drug test, ABC President Mike Mazzulli told me. He was suspended for six months and is out of the grand prize. Story directed to @MMAJunkie.
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) February 21, 2023
In the same vein, is Francis Ngannou really the man to get your hands on? Make smarter choices.
To no one’s surprise:
❌ Removed Fighter: William Knight
— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) February 21, 2023
Sodiq Yusuff can identify with the struggles of Jessica Andrade.
My balls slipped out of my shorts when I fought Arnold. I also deserve a rematch. Present them to the sports commission next week. https://t.co/pLH8NJL6xA
—Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) February 21, 2023
A bantamweight and a heavyweight go into wrestling rehearsals!
Strawweight is more fun when Karolina Kowalkiewicz performs well and wins fights.
Slips, tears and KO clips
It would be really great to see Tatiana Suarez return to form this weekend. She was such a unique and dominant force in women’s MMA!
Showed the double left hook then went in the right hand:
A magnificent counter.
2 years ago today, Óscar Valdez scored one of the most brutal knockouts ever against Miguel Berchelt to become the WBC Jr Lightweight Champion, becoming a 2 division champion. #boxing pic.twitter.com/jerAFASY6q
— . (@BoxingJournaIs) February 21, 2023
Random terrain
PIZZA!
Midnight Music: Rock, 1970
Sleep well fools! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
#Midnight #Mania #Dern #meets #Overkill
