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Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Jon Jones’ status as one of the greatest of all time means that everyone wants a piece of “Bones.” He reigned over the Light Heavyweight division for most of a decade before finally taking a chance on his Heavyweight aspirations. That risk was rewarded with a shot at the vacant belt opposite Ciryl Gane, who Jones submitted inside a round to become champion.

Since then, Jones has dealt with injury and delay to his planned Stipe Miocic title defense. There’s some controversy there regarding whether or not interim kingpin Tom Aspinall deserves a chance at gold rather than the aging former champion, but back when Jones finally announced his intentions to vacate the 205-pound crown, there was no issue. Everyone agreed it was time … or at least, almost everyone agreed!

Former (and, at the time, future) champion Jan Blachowicz wanted to square off with “Bones” and was next-in-line when Jones vacated his belt. He was immediately displeased at losing the chance to fight Jones, and he apparently has never really let go of those feelings. Recent quotes from Blachowicz still allege that Jones “escaped to Heavyweight” to avoid losing to Blachowicz, and “Bones” reacted online.

“I swear I have a spy in my camp, how else would he had known this?” Jones pondered. “Over here, scratching my head.” Jones also listed Blachowicz as an example of a flash-in-the-pan match up, writing him off as “Perfect example, here today, gone tomorrow. Legendary Polish power now nonexistent.”

Blachowicz responded to Jones’ remark, claiming “I didn’t need to put any spies on your team. I could smell your fear even across ocean.”

At the moment, both men are recovering from injury. Jones tore his pec muscle preparing for Stipe Miocic back in October 2023, whereas Jan Blachowicz underwent surgery on both shoulders in December 2023. While they may be returning at roughly the same time later this year, they will most assuredly not be doing so against one another.

Insomnia

Why does UFC insist on giving its most tired soldier so many 25-minute fights?

Nothing like a hard-earned battle wound.

Tito Ortiz, absolute champion of unintentional comedy.

A pair of Brazilian greats over the years:

This is a really sweet sequence.

An interesting look at the BKFC weigh-ins. Mike Perry really doesn’t seem to have any business fighting at 185 pounds!

Nothing like the love and support of fans.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Minoru Kimura apparently competed in Mortal Kombat and win via fatality.

If you throw three incredibly slow kicks in a row, you cannot be surprised when your opponent comes down the middle with a counter.

Blood Diamond is a cool name and all, but the man is on a rough skid.

Random Land

Cleaning up the mean streets.

Midnight Music: The last time I wrote MM last Friday evening, I picked a Big Black song. Sadly, Big Black guitarist (and several other bands) and legendary producer, Steve Albini, passed on Tuesday at the age of 61. If you like Nirvana, The Pixies, Bush, PJ Harvey … Albini is a name to know!

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

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Jon Jones isn’t deviating from his plan to fight Stipe Miocic next no matter how many times people try to tell him he should be chasing interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

In a series of messages unleashed on Twitter, Jones scoffed at suggestions that he should abandon the fight against Miocic, which was originally scheduled for UFC 295 this past November until Jones tore a pectoral muscle that forced the 36-year-old veteran out of the matchup. With Jones sidelined, the UFC opted to book Aspinall in an interim title fight against Sergei Pavlovich to help save the pay-per-view, which took an understandable hit with the original headliner falling apart.

Ever since Aspinall made quick work of Pavlovich, he’s been calling for a fight against Jones but the reigning UFC heavyweight champion remains adamant that he’s focused only on Miocic next when he returns from injury.

“I’m in the middle of a pretty clear decision,” Jones wrote. “Stick to exact and original plans, and fight the man with all the accolades or completely disregard all of the Stipe training I’ve put in and fight another potential hype train that may not even be around in three years.

“I am not changing my plans for anyone. Stipe is over there as the best heavyweight ever working his ass off. I’m gonna give that man what he wants, and I’m going to claim another head. Whatever comes next comes next.”

In a perfect world, Jones wouldn’t have suffered an injury and he would have faced Miocic in 2023, which would have then lined up other contenders like Aspinall for a shot at the belt.

With Jones sidelined, the UFC opted to introduce the interim title, which muddied the waters when it comes to deciding the next title challenger. For his part, Jones understands why the UFC made the interim title fight, but he doesn’t agree with the decision because of the shadow cast over his already expected matchup against Miocic.

“UFC is a brilliant company, did what they had to do to save the event,” Jones wrote. “But I do agree with you, it definitely confused a bunch of UK fans, got them entitled thinking their boy really is the champion. It reminds me of when [Daniel Cormier] was the ‘champion’ during my absence.”

Jones also disagrees with the notion that he’s holding up the heavyweight division because he’s waiting to fight Miocic later this year.

While he’s resolved in the decision to make that his next fight, Jones believes that Aspinall could and should still be fighting in his absence, which hasn’t happened yet. Aspinall hasn’t fought since this past November when he claimed the interim title in 69 seconds.

“I think it’s great to see the UFC showing such a level of respect to their champion athletes,” Jones said. “I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to the sport, I think I’m allowed to get hurt once. This injury was supposed to take up to a year to heal, but I’m already back in pre-camp, I’m committed to progression.

“And besides, there’s not many people in the heavyweight division right now that are capable of creating super fights. If Alex [Pereira] doesn’t move up in the near future, you’re not really missing out on much. The belt will just be tossed around like usual business.”

While Aspinall has stated that he’s more than willing to stay active in Jones’ absence with all signs pointing to his return at UFC 304, which takes place in Manchester, England, in July, he remains unbooked.

In Jones’ mind, it looks like Aspinall is sitting and waiting for a title unification bout rather than just facing the next contender in line.

“Would you agree that it’s just as selfish to have a completely healthy [interim] champion who is only 30 years old, sitting out and waiting to fight the winner of a 42 and 36 year old,” Jones wrote. “Who literally actually already committed to fighting each other? No one stopping anyone, I’m on a mission.”

Jones also addressed the persistent rumors that he may actually call it a career after facing Miocic, who he’s long targeted thanks to the Ohio native owning the record for the most successful UFC heavyweight title defenses (3).

Jones views Miocic as a huge jewel to add to his crown as arguably the greatest mixed martial artist in history and there might not be much left to achieve after that.

“I was talking about retirement after Stipe way before there was an [interim] champion announced,” Jones said. “I would literally be in the same exact position if Sergei [had the interim title]. I love how the UK have convinced themselves I’m afraid of their [interim] champion. Opens me up to a whole new fanbase. They all know who the actual champion is.”

As of now, there’s still no word when Jones may fight Miocic, although it’s likely the fight happens in either September, November, or December based on the current UFC schedule. With pay-per-views happening in England in July, Australia in August, and Abu Dhabi in October, the domestic schedule only leaves UFC 306 at Sphere in Las Vegas in September, an expected event at Madison Square Garden in New York in November, and the year-end event usually held in Las Vegas in December as options.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Urijah Faber stopped by to discuss a revolutionary college MMA program that he and others will spearhead. During his time with us, he was also kind enough to share his reaction to Jose Aldo’s magnificent UFC 301 victory and Aldo’s desire to “cut the line” and fight Sean O’Malley for UFC bantamweight gold.

Faber and Aldo go way back, having shared the cage together during their title match at WEC 48 way back in 2010. Since then, the two have always been very amicable towards each other, and ‘The California Kid’ is overjoyed to see Aldo’s success at 135lbs in the UFC.

Aldo’s last outing saw him defeat a young up-and-comer named Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301. After the fight, Aldo spoke about his title ambitions and his desire to make one last run at things. Unsurprisingly, this left MMA fans very excited to see a final Jose Aldo run, and Urijah Faber didn’t falter in giving his opinion on the matter.

Urijah Faber speaks on Jose Aldo’s success at 135lbs, would love to see a final title run

When asked about Aldo skipping the line and facing Sean O’Malley for bantamweight gold, Urijah Faber was excited. “I would love to see that,” he said, speaking to Lowkick MMA reporter Makoa Goble. “I think this is one of the best (conditions) that I’ve seen Aldo (in). I think the acclimation to the weight class is big. He was always a big guy. When I fought him at 145lbs, I felt like he was a big guy.”

“I think it really took a while for his body to adjust to being a 135lber, but I thought he looked amazing. We don’t speak the same language, so when I see Aldo, it’s mostly some basic exchanges of greetings and sharing love. We’ve always had a great energy. Before we fought, after we fought, and the years after retirement for me.”

Who do you think that Sean O’Malley will defend his title against next?

LowKickMMA.com

When former middleweight champion Alex Pereira left the 185-pound weight class and moved up to the light heavyweight division, he faced former titleholder Jan Blachowicz in his 205-pound debut.  

Pereira narrowly defeated Blachowicz via split decision in the UFC 291 co-main event in July 2023, but Blachowicz believes he won the fight.  He also doesn’t think Pereira is a better fighter than him.  

“He is not a better fighter than me, and I believe that I deserve the rematch,” Blachowicz told Fanatics View. “When he fight against me, I still believe that I won this fight.

“(Judges) see different scores, but I believe that I won this fight against him, and I believe that I deserve the rematch. He knocked out everybody – not me. When I come back, I believe that I can fight against him one more time.”

The loss to Pereira was the last time Blachowicz’ fought.  He’s been sidelined with nagging shoulder injuries.  He underwent double shoulder surgery and expects to be back in action at the end of the year.  

“So far so good.  Left hand is almost ready to fight, but the right hand, like five weeks ago I had surgery so it’s a completely new thing.  Everyday is a little bit better but still I need more time to recover and to fix correct.  I think my next fight will be the end of the year, not earlier.  For sure not earlier,” he said.  

In his absence, Blachowicz would like to see Pereira take on second-ranked Magomed Ankalaev.  He believes Ankalaev poses the biggest threat the champion.  

“I want to see Pereira against Ankalaev because this is the hardest opponent for him right now,” Blachowicz said. “Because I’m not in the division because I’m out for a couple more months. He is the most dangerous fighter for him.”

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Michel Pereira gets a quick turnaround after his impressive stoppage win at UFC 301.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Pereira will face Roman Dolidze at UFC Louisville on June 8, which takes place at KFC Yum! Center. Eurosport was first to report the booking.

Dolidze was originally slated to compete at UFC 302 a week prior, but a hand injury scratched opponent Anthony Hernandez from the bout. The 35-year-old surged up the middleweight ranks after winning four straight — including a 3-0 campaign in 2022 which included stoppage wins over Jack Hermansson, Phil Hawes, and Kyle Daukaus — but now looks to bounce back from consecutive losses to Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov.

Pereira, a winner of eight straight, has looked sensational since making the move from welterweight to middleweight. “Demolidor” is 3-0 in the UFC at 185 pounds, with three stoppages in just over three minutes of combined octagon time. In his most recent outing at this past weekend’s UFC 301 event, Pereira stopped Ihor Potieria in just 54 seconds with a standing guillotine submission.

Damon Martin contributed to this story.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Art Jimmerson, one of the first men ever to compete for the UFC, has died at the age of 60.

Known to millions of MMA fans as “One Glove,” Jimmerson passed away Wednesday evening, according to an initial report from ESPN. UFC officials confirmed Jimmerson’s death in a statement.

“The UFC family sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Art Jimmerson at this difficult time,” UFC officials wrote.

The cause of death is yet to be publicly disclosed.

Jimmerson only stepped into the octagon once, but will forever be remembered for his fight with the legendary Royce Gracie at UFC 1 in November 1993. In the opening round of a one-night tournament, the pro boxer entered the cage wearing just one boxing glove on his left hand, leaving his right uncovered. The peculiar approach did not appear to benefit Jimmerson in any way as he was submitted by Gracie in a little over two minutes.

Though Jimmerson’s absurd choice has been the subject of numerous punchlines, he remains an indelible part of the earliest days of the UFC. His cagefighting career may have come to an abrupt end against Gracie, but the legacy of “One Glove” has endured for over thirty years.

Jimmerson regularly made public appearances with his lone glove and has frequently been featured in documentaries and retrospectives about the UFC’s origins.

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