Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Sean O’Malley has history with both Frankie Edgar and Marlon Vera, who were recently booked to fight one another at UFC 268 in New York City, New York. O’Malley was offered the Edgar match up first, but he turned it down due to a scheduling conflict, much to the chagrin of UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby. Meanwhile, “Chito” handed O’Malley his first and only professional loss by way of ankle injury and concussion-inducing elbows.
As a relevant outsider to the match up, O’Malley spoke about the bout on his podcast. However, his opinion of the bout wasn’t exactly positive.
“I think Chito beats Edgar. I think it’s probably going to be boring as s**t,” O’Malley explained (via MMAnews). “I think Frankie, he just kinda like goes back and forth. Chito doesn’t do much. I’m gonna watch. I’m gonna watch and observe. But yeah, it’ll probably be a boring fight. I think Chito wins. I think Chito beats him.”
My inner Jersey boy is heated!
Frankie Edgar is, of course, a multiple time champion with numerous great fights in his career, including the pair vs. Gray Maynard that are commonly near the top of all-time lists. Vera, meanwhile, is one of the most consistent finishers at 135 lbs., and the 28-year-old has already secured five post-fight bonuses. Neither have the reputation for boring fights.
It could be a case of sour grapes, but then, O’Malley has made it quite clear he’s happy to fight the bottom of the barrel … provided he gets paid.
The Return Of Shameless Self-Promotion
A bit over one week into awkwardly plugging myself, and I’d like to send a major thanks to the 63 (at this time of writing) people who have supported the cause. Glad to have you on the team, and there’s still room on board!
As with all my pro fights, I raise funds to cover camp costs/actually make a profit via the fight banner. $5 or more gets your name/screen name/nickname on the fight banner, and it enters you into a raffle to win the banner itself. Payment options include venmo: AndyLRichardson (1572), PayPal, or the latest GoFundMe page. Complete details are HERE!
And, for those that don’t care for my fight career and its associated e-begging, all the coming Midnight Manias will have the same amount of content as usual. Simply skip this section each night and it’s like nothing happened!
Insomnia
Conor McGregor shared some clips of his sparring (presumably from prior to the third Poirier bout), and he looked sharp! However, it must be said that knee stomps and jump knees (minus knee pads) thrown in sparring are a party foul at best.
In the five days since Tyron Woodley lost to Jake Paul, the former champion has posted nine times on IG to call for a rematch/talk trash. That’s a lot!
Andrea Lee is apparently one with nature!
Georgia stands proudly behind Giga Chikadze after his main event victory:
Yup, Shane Burgos vs. Billy Quarantillo is a guaranteed banger.
Does a move to Welterweight hold the answers for Tony Ferguson?
Theatrics in MMA can keep things fun!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
The funny little spin at the beginning of the clip does actually hide a switch to Southpaw …
Will Derek Brunson’s left hand prove a major factor tomorrow, or is it all about the wrestling for the veteran?
Here’s a good reminder that letting go of the armbar/triangle/submission is always an option.
Random Land
Like something out of a James Bond movie:
Midnight Music: I dug this alt. country rock track from The Jayhawks!
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.