Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Earlier Thursday, UFC President Dana White announced an important middleweight booking, naming Jared Cannonier vs. Marvin Vettori as the main event of his “Fight Night” event on June 17, which will be held inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cannonier challenged No. 4 seed for the UFC title in July 2022, following his decision by Israel Adesanya. Prior to this loss, Cannonier rose through the ranks by winning five of his six middleweight bouts, stopping men like Derek Bronson and Anderson Silva by knockout. Last time out, Cannonier got back in the winning column with a split decision nod over Shawn Strickland.
No. 3-ranked Marvin Vitori also came up short against “The Stylebender,” but his shot to the title came in June 2021. Since then, he’s won two out of three, picking up important victories against Paolo Costa and Roman Doldizzi but being beaten by Robert Whitaker in between those victories. .
Although neither man has ridden a massive wave of momentum in the most recent main event slots, the match between the top five contenders should have some level of impact on the title. Stylistically, Cannonier is probably the hardest hitter Vittori has ever faced, but Vittori has the grappling and five-point conditioning to annoy his opponent as well.
Who do you have?!?
insomnia
The ultimate fighter TUF winner Mohamed Osman returns this weekend, but he doesn’t seem happy about it.
Most fighters and MMA characters lose their blue check mark, which seems like a recipe for this column in particular to be tricked by trolls as they charge forward.
Cetin got knocked out and lost the blue check in the same week…
– Billy Quarantello (@BillyQMMA) April 20, 2023
I just want to verify that I’m actually still myself and that’s the real, real Wonderboy… I don’t want that
Causing any unnecessary stress to anyone if I can help it #UnverifiedGang #ItsStillMe– Wonderboy (WonderboyMMA) April 20, 2023
Mohamed Mokaif tried calling out Brandon Royval and totally roasting him for his efforts. He also broke Conor McGregor’s no-wallet betting rule (basically)!
♂️ I’m fighting for gold and 6 figures after that.. not 38k. Maybe once you stop fighting with unranked opponents, you can add this to your wish list, taking into account all that is out there and inviting you to do every fight.
Don’t stop acting like you don’t see Hadley’s tweets https://t.co/YtmrHxDcuc– Brandon (@brandonroyval) April 20, 2023
Imagine me being afraid of a wrestler who deals 0 damage in a fight. The bitches come out of Mokefeh and fight healthier than when they came in
I bulk up as a precaution in July and am fighting for a belt by the end of the year. I will see you at the top.– Brandon (@brandonroyval) April 20, 2023
Bobby Green has been in a rarity for the media this week.
Nate Diaz and Dana White have a strange relationship.
I see this match holds almost 100% of being a BANGER!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
This column featured a killer young clip of Khabib earlier this week, so it’s only fair that young Charles Oliveira appears too! the killer.
If it scares a nightmare, it’s dangerous.
Another brutal one:
random land
About a bad situation as far as you can get away from it.
Midnight Music: Rock, 1977
Sleep well lunatics! More martial arts craze is always on the way.