Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Alex Pereira is combating for extra than simply his fourth title protection this weekend (Sat., March 1, 2025) when he takes on Fight Sambo ace Magomed Ankalaev within the UFC 313 fundamental occasion. If “Poatan” performs his playing cards proper, he might additionally rating a UFC Heavyweight title shot, in addition to a attainable tremendous battle versus present huge man roost-ruler Jon Jones.
That’s in accordance with UFC CEO Dana White.
There are a variety of transferring components to contemplate when planning the futures of two separate divisions. At first, White’s purpose is to get “Bones” booked in opposition to interim Heavyweight king Tom Aspinall, and he’s focusing on a summer time date for that extremely anticipated match up.
“The plan is to battle Jon this summer time,” White defined on The Jim Rome Present (by way of MMAFighting). “Clearly, when, the place and all that stuff is being decided. My purpose this yr is to make that battle [with] Aspinall.”
Jones vs. Aspinall is without doubt one of the most demanded fights attainable proper now, broadly thought-about essentially the most harmful menace to Jones’ (practically) undefeated report in a few years. Unifying the Heavyweight crown is a should, however afterwards, there’s a gap for Pereira to leap into title rivalry in a 3rd weight class.
“The opposite factor about Pereira that everyone loves is, this man needs to go as much as heavyweight and battle at heavyweight, too,” White mentioned. “I’m the one which’s really holding him again on that.”
He continued, “He needs to [fight Jon Jones]. Let’s see how this battle performs out, if he wins, how he wins, all that type of stuff … I feel that the battle that everyone needs to see proper now could be Jones and Aspinall after which there’s little question that Pereira might battle the winner.”
No matter who’s victorious between Jones and Aspinall, a match up versus a defending “Poatan” can be completely enormous. No one has ever even tried to seize a 3rd UFC title, not to mention whereas being essentially the most thrilling knockout artist within the sport. That’s the type of headliner that makes for the PPV of the yr.
If Pereira can get by Ankalaev on Saturday, at the least.
Insomnia
What’s your tackle the TKO/Turki Alalshikh partnership? Will it disrupt boxing, bettering matchmaking, each, or neither?
We now have a belt … it is just 103 years outdated. It’s the similar belt Rocky gained and Joe Louis and even Muhammad Ali who you point out. https://t.co/EhHgAtUIzN
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) March 5, 2025
I assumed as a common rule, the fight sports activities group has agreed to not drug check kickboxing.
Jean Silva is aware of the right way to market his fights (apart from merely being extraordinarily entertaining).
Certainly one of nowadays, Daniel Cormer goes to throw his again out capturing singles on Alex Pereira.
The latest Final Fighter (TUF) winner Ryan Loder returns in opposition to 19-3 Azamat Bekoev.
Primarily based on current officiating, UFC referees would let this fly with a warning.
Mauricio Ruffy named himself after an anime character, and he’s combating a person who renamed himself King. MMA isn’t actual!
Mauricio Ruffy reveals that his final identify just isn’t Ruffy and was impressed by his favorite character, Monkey D. Luffy, within the anime ‘One Piece’ (by way of @ufc) pic.twitter.com/fTPQNudVwG
— House of Struggle (@Home_of_Fight) March 5, 2025
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Straight proper contained in the left hook, an everlasting battle.
Completely devious single leg guard play!
Two of the perfect Lightweights of their period completely throwing down!
Random Land
Magnificence on the backside of the Grand Canyon.
Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1996
Sleep effectively Maniacs! Extra martial arts insanity is at all times on the way in which.
