Midnight Mania: ‘Leave This Sport For The Young Fighters’
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
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Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t want any part of a reignited feud with former rival Tony Ferguson.
The retired Russian legend made headlines this week for claiming that Ferguson could only have defeated him via “lucky punch.” Unsurprisingly, Ferguson took issue with that comment and quickly posted a small social media rant labeling “The Eagle” a fat chicken (among other things). All things considered, it was a pretty standard “El Cucuy” post. Still, Nurmagomedov responded on X early Tuesday morning, and he denied making those recent comments.
“You know what’s interesting,” Nurmagomedov posted. “I didn’t say anything about you, people just post whatever they want on the internet and write that it’s Khabib. Enjoy your life and your family, leave this sport for the young fighters.”
The problem with Khabib’s post (or whoever is running his account) is that the source of the lucky punch quote was a podcast ... that’s on YouTube ... in English! It can still be watched right HERE! You can watch Nurmagomedov say it himself at about the 24:30 mark.
Regardless, the final sentence is good advice. At 40 years of age, Ferguson recently set the UFC record for consecutive losses when he was easily tapped out by Michael Chiesa for an eighth straight defeat. “El Cucuy” hasn’t officially been released by the UFC or retired outright, but there’s nothing left for him in the cage.
Sadly, we’ll never actually know what would’ve happened had Ferguson and Khabib met at the height of their respective powers. Ferguson’s ugly losing streak has largely killed off what once was a strong belief that the Californian could really trouble the legendary “Eagle,” but it still remains as an all-time “what if” in MMA history.
Damn that stupid cable.
Insomnia
Carlos Prates is trying to line up a fight versus Michael Page. It’s been too long since we’ve since a classic Muay Thai vs. Karate match up in the Octagon!
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I hate this. There are plenty of actual issues in MMA, go tackle one of those, NSAC.
The NSAC has fined Mayra Bueno Silva $2,500 + prosecution fees for her #UFC303 cage hop. pic.twitter.com/rnHdAQcdo6
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 29, 2024
Win or lose, Nikita Krylov can be trusted to get after it.
Nikita Krylov will fight Azamat Murzakanov at #UFC309 on November 16th. (first rep. Vadim Tikhomirov on Telegram) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/1Q53s1pV0e
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) August 27, 2024
It sounds like Dan Ige had a bit of a mishap on the freeway.
If anyone wants my sweaty fight worn shorts from UFC 303 they’re on the i15 north bound between cactus and Silverado ranch
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) August 28, 2024
There’s only one Merab Dvalishvili.
Before Merab was ever in the UFC he worked construction and on his lunch breaks he’d fight drywall
He’s never changed who he is for anybody
I don’t expect him to do it nowGive Maniac Merab a break everybody
He just havin fun in this life #UFCNoche @MerabDvalishvil pic.twitter.com/tzf1VQDsI0— DJ MurkCity (@myrksitymma) August 27, 2024
Luck is as important a factor for success as anything else in this sport.
Canadian welterweight @Michael_Malott shared a near catastrophe in the training room this month that could have jeopardized his return.
"A terrifying year of my life just flashed before my eyes in that moment", said the ultimately-uninjured Malott. #MMA pic.twitter.com/U5rAkaxM90
— Talen Guzman (@TalenGuzman) August 28, 2024
The devilish red feels quite appropriate.
Netflix announced their 6 episode docu-series, Mr. McMahon, will premiere on September 25.
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) August 29, 2024
The Key Art. pic.twitter.com/kuFJAqHZjF
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) August 29, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Jean Silva is a walking highlight reel.
Jean Silva was taken down and fought off getting his back taken. Ends the fight with a flying knee.
Also, this promotion has two boxing ring walls in a cage. Weird. pic.twitter.com/OlQJHksf5g
— Blaine Henry (@BlaineHenryTFL) August 29, 2024
That knee on the way down was well-timed.
Goes upstairs and finishes it off on the ground!#FFC80 pic.twitter.com/no6LPESzM3
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) August 29, 2024
15 years ago today! One of the most fun Heavyweight fights of all time.
#OTD 08.29.2009
Randy Couture vs. Minotauro Nogueira - UFC 102 pic.twitter.com/3whc7PWO6e
— Neo Vale Tudo (@NeoValeTudo) August 30, 2022
Random Land
Moving on from Paris 2024 to greener pastures.
Hot-dog olympics.
Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 2003
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
