Midnight Mania! White Unloads On ‘Next-Level Stupid’ Merab For Noche UFC Cut-Gate

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 07:00

Yan vs Dvalishvili
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Noche UFC is one of the most anticipated fight cards of the year, but its main event may be at risk.

Top-ranked Bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili has won a remarkable ten fights in a row to secure his title match versus Sean O’Malley, one of the sport’s most popular fighters at the moment. However, “The Machine” has hit a training mishap, revealing on social media today that he suffered a cut above his eye requiring stitches. “Suga” already reacted, and Dvalishvili is adamant that the cut won’t affect his ability to fight.

Reminder: Noche UFC is scheduled for September 14, less than a month away. Even if Dvalishvili is unbothered by the cut, he’s drawn attention to himself in the eyes of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), whose doctor is now more likely to closely inspect the cut area. Oh, and he gave O’Malley an obvious target from the first bell of their 25-minute contest.

Though he’s not worried about the fight getting canceled, UFC CEO Dana White is outraged at Dvalishvili’s decision to post the cut online. In the aftermath of Contenders Series, White revealed his anger at the Georgian talent.

“The whole world knows about Merab’s cut, he posted it,” White began. “Our guys are so dumb, it’s next level, unbelievable. All the stuff I talk about boxing — what I will give boxing is when something happens in a camp, it does not leak. Our guys can’t f—king wait to throw it up on social media.

“It’s a small cut, no big deal, but obviously it needed to be posted ... Why the f—k would you want [Sean O’Malley] to know that? It’s next level stupid. Some of these guys are so stupid, it’s mind-boggling. It’s unbelievable.”

Oddly enough, it’s not the first time White has buried Dvalishvili after a fun night of fights on Contenders Series. Just about a year ago, White dropped a legendary rant against Dvalishvili for choosing friendship over a title shot. Obviously, Dvalishvili has persevered to finally score his title opportunity, but will Dvalishvili get the last laugh here as well?

Hopefully, we’ll find out in a few weeks.

Insomnia

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu drama is always at least a little cringy.

Holly Holm looks very energized for four in the morning.

On the flip side of the partying equation, imagine a scene where Dominick Cruz and Casey O’Neil are the life of the party.

Unfortunately for those still doubting, the Dricus Du Plessis praise is starting to add up.

Junior Tafa didn’t handle the heel hook well while defending it, immediately afterward, or even the entire night of the event.

A couple weeks ago, Urijah Faber picked up the victory in a grappling rematch opposite fellow OG Bibiano Fernandes.

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Darren Till has a few hot takes.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Crashing forward into an upward elbow:

20-year-old Abdullah Mason showed off some fast hands this weekend in his victory over Mike Ohan Jr to remain undefeated.

Silva’s combination left him in Southpaw after starting in Orthodox, and he never saw the open stance high kick coming.

Random Land

This wasn’t very well thought out.

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Midnight Music: Country, 1971

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

Source: 
https://www.mmamania.com/2024/8/21/24224193/dana-white-unloads-stupid-merab-dvalishvili-revealing-nasty-cut-noche-ufc-sean-omalley-espn