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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Luke Rockhold’s retirement didn’t last very long.
As soon as the former champion secured his release from the UFC, Rockhold immediately announced his intention to do something big in another organization. Sure enough, it was announced earlier today that Rockhold will headline Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) 41 on April 29 in Broomfield, Colorado against fellow UFC veteran Mike Perry, who is historically a smaller weight class but has established himself as one of the top talents in this arena.
Prior to his last UFC performance, Rockhold was highly critical of UFC contracts, salaries, sponsorships – everything really! Speaking on MMA hourRockhold confirmed their joy of officially fighting under a new banner.
“I’m done being a slave king,” Luke Rockhold told Ariel Helwani (via Josh Evanoff). “I’m thrilled to be associated with Bare-Knuckle and do it right. To give to the fans. I think that brings out the best in a fighter too, you know what I mean? When you don’t you’re not a slave to this shit, you know.
He continued: “You know you are fighting for yourself, for your own worth and for what you can be worth.”
As for Rockhold’s value, he didn’t mention a number. The Californian, however, hinted that his first paycheck at BKFC was significantly higher than his Costa fight purse, promising, “They take care of the fighters.
Better purse than what you received in your last UFC fight?#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/TyiPuAZG7Q
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 1, 2023
“Platinum” Perry claimed he also earned double his UFC purse in the ring with his bare hands. Given Paulo Costa’s beef with the UFC and the excitement of being a free agent, maybe we’ll see a rematch somewhere down the line, sans gloves?
Insomnia
Who gave Sean Strickland a durag?
Incredible capture of Chris Curtis pic.twitter.com/N6ImAgjtvp
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) March 1, 2023
As someone who has seen quite a few fights at the Prudential Center, I can’t imagine why the UFC is going back to Newark after MMA was legalized in New York.
| #UFC288 will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 6. [per @ryanjfrederick]#UFC288 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/jrnzfhSJdq
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) March 1, 2023
Before posting these clips, remember that Chael Sonnen loves to tell great stories and the following is just a rumour…
Jon Jones
Holly Holm
Valentina ShevchenkoLove triangle.
Apparently a very real thing via @ChaelSonnen pic.twitter.com/Iy53hpIBmH
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 28, 2023
I AM IN TEARS
Chael goes over and over again about why Valentina Shevchenko and Jon Jones are “On the Same Card!”…
…just because Ariel doesn’t want to talk about it@ChaelSonnen / @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/x9jqaBLYwo— No Context Ariel Helwani (@NoContextAriel) February 28, 2023
I really hope that Francis Ngannou returns to the cage at some point. It would be a shame if the best heavyweight in the world really left after just one title defense.
If Ngannou no longer fights in MMA, the lineal title from Royce Gracie will be broken. pic.twitter.com/aMIkK8ZPj5
—Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) February 28, 2023
Ah, the joys of being a public figure in the internet age.
What we deal with as fighters. I’ll just start blasting Yal every time pic.twitter.com/UeEhP6t8gg
— Charles “InnerG” Johnson (@InnerGmma) March 1, 2023
More on Ciryl Gane’s preparation for UFC 285:
… he came to MMA Factory in the second half of 2022. I don’t think he came as part of Jon Jones’ prep camp since he came long before the fight was announced, but from anyway, he and Ciryl worked together.
This is the only information I know of and thought it might be of interest to some of you. In…
— Fedor’s nephew (@FdrNphw) March 1, 2023
Slips, tears and KO clips
Old school K-1 highlight clips are still going wild.
Kyokushin’s top fighter John Kleijn annihilates Brazilian Thai Boxing Champion Sergio Machado with 2 brutal headbutts.pic.twitter.com/KQNb9Eqv0B
— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) February 27, 2023
I’ve read so many awful takes from Dricus Du Plessis, that “Stillknocks” has no technique and his cardio sucks. Guys without cardio can’t beat Brad Tavares! Du Plessis has an unorthodox game, but it works for a reason.
July 2, 2022
UFC 276
Dricus displays crazy cardio against Brad Tavares
Land powerful strikes for the full fight
Earned via UD. pic.twitter.com/KqLtNIkS0g
—Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) February 28, 2023
The cross to the solar plexus is an underrated hit.
See this post on Instagram
Random terrain
I’m sure it still hurt, but the man crashed in good shape.
See this post on Instagram
Midnight Music: Indie Pop, 2007
Sleep well fools! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
#Midnight #Mania #NotASlave #Rockhold #Confirms #Significant #BKFC #Salary #Increase
