Welcome to Midnight Mania!
There’s a little extra money on the line at UFC 304.
During the UFC 304 press conference on Thursday (July 25, 2024), Lightweight contender Bobby “King” Green made a request to UFC CEO Dana White, asking that he double up the usual $50k performance bonuses. After some cheers from the crowd and confirmation from Welterweight champion Leon Edwards, White agreed to the request.
This isn’t the first time the bonuses have been bumped in 2024. Back at UFC 300, Justin Gaethje and others campaigned for $300k performance bonuses and were ultimately granted their wish. Max Holloway was the big winner that night, as his double dip earned him an extra $600k in bonus money!
UFC 304 isn’t quite as high-profile as UFC 300, but nobody is arguing with an extra $50k. Well, there was still one small bit of negativity, as Edwards made sure to remind his opponent, Belal Muhammad, that there was no chance of “The Bully” getting any of that extra dough. As Muhammad cheered for the raise, Edwards interjected, “Belal don’t worry about that, you’re knocking no one out!”
Funny enough, both Edwards and Muhammad have each scored just two performance bonuses across their entire careers. Muhammad is actually in the lead, however, as he also scored a “Fight of the Night” bonus in his UFC debut, and he technically knocked out an opponent more recently than Edwards!
We’ll see how it all plays out on Saturday night.
Insomnia
Every once in a while, I post something in this column — like Leon Edwards’ trick shot earlier this week — that I think could be fake, but it’s ultimately up to y’all to debate and figure out. Still, I must confess: I immediately bought into Tom Aspinall’s oil dip. It sounds like something an MMA fighter would do!
Interesting insight from Oleksandr Usyk.
Oleksandr Usyk has rated his UK opponents: [@BoxingKingMedia]
Hardest Puncher – Derek Chisora⚡️ Quickest – Tony Bellew️ Best Defence – Tyson FuryBest Footwork – Tony BellewBest Boxing IQ – Tyson Fury✅ Easiest Fight – Joe Joyce⚔️ Hardest Fight – Tyson Fury
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) July 25, 2024
Israel Adesanya breaks down Edwards vs. Muhammad and picks “Rocky” via KO!
Will Michael Morales pass the Magny gate? A great match up.
Some MMA fans are receptive to Paddy Pimblett’s mental health talks … others, not so much.
No wonder men don’t speak up.
I put my feelings out there and tell men it’s okay to talk.
I just get told to kill myself and have pictures of scousers dying sent in the replies.
We need to change this mindset pic.twitter.com/Bg2xjlgaYA
— Paddy Pimblett (@PaddyTheBaddy) July 25, 2024
A bit of trouble between MMA besties and (former?) podcast co-hosts Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis.
Weakness is cancer man, literally it spreads through the gym like a virus…. It affects everyone… I can be pretty hard. Probably too militant
But
Curt wanted to drill during sparring and I said no do it on your own time and he lost it. Very gay…
Curt we miss you lol https://t.co/M9slWMz9Ur
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) July 25, 2024
For those wondering, I believe there is a certain amount of respect that you give to those who support you. When that respect is not reciprocated, it doesn’t matter who it is, those people can no longer be involved in your inner circle. It’s that simple. Life goes on guys.
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) July 25, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Throwing hard right hands off the bat and caught her cold!
A face-first charge met with a spin!
Is looking at the floor and throwing standing hammerfists the new MMA meta?
Random Land
I’m at least mildly convinced this is a Pokemon.
Midnight Music: Alternative, 1988
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
