Midnight Mania: Staph Watchdogs Raise Stipe Alarm

Thursday, November 14, 2024 - 08:00

UFC Fighter Portraits
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

It wouldn’t be a high-profile UFC event without the rumor of a staph infection.

Former Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is set to return after a long layoff dating back to his March 2021 knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. Miocic isn’t getting a softball match up either, as he’ll challenge current kingpin Jon Jones in his first fight back. Regardless of all the Tom Aspinall controversy, Miocic’s return is highly anticipated.

Hopefully, the 42 year old is not compromised ahead of his first fight back. UFC recently released the pre-fight photos — which, as a side note, are Miocic’s first time in the Venum uniform! — and eagle-eyed fight fans immediately spotted a strange red spot on Miocic’s chest. Many assumed the worst: a staph infection.

There is, of course, no way to tell it’s a staph infection from a photograph. It could easily be mat burn, a cut from a training partner’s fingernails, or an abrasion from a non-fighting related incident. Either way, the athletic commission is unlikely to investigate much further based on previous fighters showing up to fights with active infections.

On the plus side, the official back up will be available ... even if Jones doesn’t want to fight him.

Insomnia

I love the implication that Paul Craig is such a dangerous force on the feet that Bo Nickal cannot afford to stand with him at all.

Turki Alalshikh bought the biggest name in boxing coverage, what could go wrong?

This feels like a bad habit coming into his fight against “Bones,” but Miocic did pressure Junior dos Santos pretty effectively in both of their fights.

Given Miocic’s strong jab, I wouldn’t be surprised to see hand-fighting into elbows and general clinch work be a significant part of the Jones game plan.

The Heavyweight ranks seem to have forgotten about Sergei Pavlovich after consecutive losses, but I’m still looking forward to his return.

Think Renato Moicano gets his main event shot vs. Paddy Pimblett? It’s a smart booking ...

I don’t care if Santiago Ponzinibbio is over-the-hill, “Gente Boa” still puts it all on the line.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Body shots don’t have to look like much to have an immediate impact.

A lovely 1-2, pull, 2.

A left hook sneaks inside the overhand right:

Random Land

An inspirational quote from one of the greats.

Midnight Music: Art rock, 1990

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

Source: 
https://www.mmamania.com/2024/11/14/24296048/staph-watch-fight-fans-panic-over-strange-mark-stipe-miocics-chest-ufc-309-jon-jones-espn