Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Let’s start the night off by taking look back over the three biggest stories of Friday, July 4, 2025.

1. Ilia Topuria has no demands for Pimblett fight: ‘Paddy’s in trouble because I am flexible’: I would watch Ilia Topuria fight Pimblett, Justin Gaethje, or Arman Tsarukyan without any real complaint, and I think most others feel the same. He’s the king right now for a reason!
2. Josh Barnett protege Johnny Robles removed from top MMA gym over alleged ‘incident with a minor’: Yikes.
3. Dustin Poirier warns next generation away from fighting: ‘Go to college’: I can’t imagine anyone remotely familiar with the MMA industry recommending it to others, fun as it may be.

Insomnia

Mauricio Ruffy styling on mitts!

Conor McGregor makes an official statement requesting a July 4th White House Fight versus Michael Chandler. In a bizarre way, it would be fighting!

I’m going to need a list of people BJ Penn does NOT think were replaced by the government.

Manel Kape’s trash talk works better when he shows up to fight.

Paddy Pimblett and Sean Strickland keeping it friendly in sparring.

One Championship would appear to be circling the drain at an ever-increasing rate.

Did you know Ilia Topuria once tried to make 135-pounds? Lightweight seems a more natural fit.

I’m very much looking forward to Jack Della Maddalena’s wrestling being tested once more by Islam Makhachev.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

If you’re going to be the shortest man in the division, hitting the body is nonnegotiable.

This neck crank looks absolutely brutal.

Kept the momentum of the kick going ...

Random Land

Hope everyone’s fingers are intact, I would miss your comments!

Midnight Music: Folk, 2025

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.