Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Alex Pereira is fighting for more than just his fourth title defense this weekend (Sat., March 1, 2025) when he takes on Combat Sambo ace Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 main event. If “Poatan” plays his cards right, he could also score a UFC Heavyweight title shot, as well as a possible super fight versus current big man roost-ruler Jon Jones.

That’s according to UFC CEO Dana White.

There are a lot of moving factors to consider when planning the futures of two separate divisions. First and foremost, White’s goal is to get “Bones” booked against interim Heavyweight king Tom Aspinall, and he’s targeting a summer date for that highly anticipated match up.

“The plan is to fight Jon this summer,” White explained on The Jim Rome Show (via MMAFighting). “Obviously, when, where and all that stuff is being determined. My goal this year is to make that fight [with] Aspinall.”

Jones vs. Aspinall is one of the most demanded fights possible right now, widely considered the most dangerous threat to Jones’ (nearly) undefeated record in many years. Unifying the Heavyweight crown is a must, but afterwards, there’s an opening for Pereira to jump into title contention in a third weight class.

“The other thing about Pereira that everybody loves is, this guy wants to go up to heavyweight and fight at heavyweight, too,” White said. “I’m the one that’s actually holding him back on that.”

He continued, “He wants to [fight Jon Jones]. Let’s see how this fight plays out, if he wins, how he wins, all that kind of stuff … I think that the fight that everybody wants to see right now is Jones and Aspinall and then there’s no doubt that Pereira could fight the winner.”

Regardless of who is victorious between Jones and Aspinall, a match up versus a defending “Poatan” would be absolutely huge. Nobody has ever even tried to capture a third UFC title, let alone while being the most exciting knockout artist in the sport. That’s the kind of headliner that makes for the PPV of the year.

If Pereira can get by Ankalaev on Saturday, at least.

Insomnia

What’s your take on the TKO/Turki Alalshikh partnership? Will it disrupt boxing, improving matchmaking, both, or neither?

I thought as a general rule, the combat sports community has agreed not to drug test kickboxing.

Jean Silva knows how to market his fights (aside from simply being extremely entertaining).

One of these days, Daniel Cormer is going to throw his back out shooting singles on Alex Pereira.

The most recent Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner Ryan Loder returns against 19-3 Azamat Bekoev.

Based on recent officiating, UFC referees would let this fly with a warning.

Mauricio Ruffy named himself after an anime character, and he’s fighting a man who renamed himself King. MMA isn’t real!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Straight right inside the left hook, an eternal battle.

Absolutely devious single leg guard play!

Two of the best Lightweights of their era absolutely throwing down!

Random Land

Beauty at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1996

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

MMAmania.com – All Posts