Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every night ...
Welcome to Midnight Mania! Tonight, we’ve got Conor McGregor filing for a trademark on his own name and nickname, Floyd Mayweather’s latest burn of Dana White, Stipe Miocic feeling “crapped on” by his UFC pay, Sumo, crazy submissions and knockouts, and feelings on B.J. Penn’s latest debacle, which happened to be another step in the spectacular path of “El Pantera,” Yair Rodriguez.
McGregor is ahead of the curve in mixed martial arts (MMA). No one can call the man short-sighted. ESPN reported that McGregor has filed for trademark of both his name his “Notorious” nickname in the United States. The filing states that McGregor Sports and Entertainment Limited Company Ireland intends to use the trademark for shaving products, footwear, clothing, computer and video games, as well as barber shops, among other things. Currently, both Reebok and UFC are allowed to use his name, but neither company own the rights to them.
Mayweather, meanwhile, who has been going back-and-forth with McGregor and UFC president Dana White of late, is very familiar with filing for trademarks -- he has done it more than 230 times himself! Mayweather’s most recent comments directed toward Dana White were particularly cutting. From FOX Sports:
“I don’t want to talk to Dana White. Remember, Dana White he was a player, he was a boss, but he was a small boss. The big bosses were the Fertitta’s, but then the Fertitta’s chose to sell the UFC so Dana is just an employee. I like Dana White, I don’t have anything against him, but I can remember Dana White used to hang around me and Jeff Mayweather and carry my bags. Dana White, I remember you used to carry my bags.
“Dana White, I remember you used to carry my bags.”
That one’s gotta sting. And with McGregor being a licensed boxer in the state of California, it may be possible the Irishman can legally escape the non-compete clause in his UFC contract and deal directly with Mayweather, bypassing White and Co., although that would be a shocking move. If anyone makes shocking moves, though, it’s “Notorious.”
Except jumping. He sucks at jumping.
Last day for vine? https://t.co/aUM0oUdsE4
— JustBleedMMA (@JustBleedMMA) January 17, 2017
Bobs and Weaves
Did you see that new Bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw will be opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): Redemption? Garbrandt has already fired the first shots:
A photo posted by Cody Garbrandt (@cody_nolove) on
Jan 15, 2017 at 7:47pm PST
I’m excited for that fight. Cody claims he knocked out TJ in the gym, while TJ says, prove it.
UFC is really trying to get us hyped for UFC 208, even adding Anderson Silva as late co-main event filler opposite Derek Brunson.
At #UFC208 in Brooklyn, we're making history ... AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/99chGzszlr
— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2017
It does look like an action-packed card, to be fair.
In case you missed this weekend’s action, the main event was pretty violent. Violent in a very one-sided way, and that way was not the way B.J. Penn might have hoped:
Yair Rodriguez has earned himself a top tier match up at this point. Fellow spectacular striker Cub Swanson would be incredibly fun, as would the winner of Bermudez vs. Chan Sung Jung.
Penn, meanwhile, finally went out on his shield.
It took a UFC-record 1,034 significant strikes absorbed before BJ Penn suffered a knockdown. #UFCPhoenix
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) January 16, 2017
I love you, BJ Penn. #UFCPhoenix pic.twitter.com/7131RzafOp
— Justin Golightly (@SecretMovesMMA) January 16, 2017
Boxing knockouts are fun, too.
GET. HYPED. @robertbrantusa is back, LIVE on #FloBoxing Friday, and he's bringing his undefeated record. WATCH: https://t.co/1VBC4P9qS3 pic.twitter.com/UTAUAMEues
— FloBoxing (@FloBoxing_) January 17, 2017
So, somehow I missed this completely, but on the Saturday Invicta card, Celine Haga choked Amy Montenegro unconscious before the bell, but the referee didn’t see it, and the unconscious girl ended up winning by decision! This is very a strange sport we love.
WOW!! What an end to Amy Montenegro vs Celine Haga on #InvictaFC21 #UFCFIGHTPASS pic.twitter.com/w0SyP2Ipoz
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 15, 2017
Sumo again:
pic.twitter.com/FgHbOZYTP7
— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) January 16, 2017
pic.twitter.com/4BPaQtbi2k
— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) January 16, 2017
Kisenosato is still undefeated after the midpoint of the basho pic.twitter.com/12lnCiozRn
— MEGATON (@BasedDongeezus) January 15, 2017
So, that insane Ezekiel choke from the weekend? The first one in UFC history? From the bottom ... of mount?
He's not Alexey "The Boa Constrictor" Oleynik for nothin'!
What a submission!!#UFCPhoenixhttps://t.co/gVkOl1jhSY
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) January 16, 2017
Turns out, it wasn’t the only one:
If you thought I was kidding: Dzhihad Yunusov submits Konstantin Veselkin via Ezekiel choke at WFCA Akhmat 23 pic.twitter.com/cI03ttBQjL
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 17, 2017
This one was from the inside of the opponent’s guard, which isn’t as extreme as from the bottom of mount, but still not an outcome that is “supposed” to happen. There may have been a physicality and/or skill difference in this one, though:
Prior to the choke, Yunusov also had this ridiculous backflip guard pass pic.twitter.com/w03KKMaYVA
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 17, 2017
Oh, and remember how Joe Lauzon won, but was convinced he lost? (I wrote the immediate recap, and I agree with Lauzon ... see the scorecard here) Well, Nick Diaz applauds Lauzon for keeping it real:
@JoeLauzon way to keep it pic.twitter.com/oizOuUjXux
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) January 16, 2017
Here are the highlights:
Holy hands, Batwoman!
We'll pass on catching these hands (via saadvakass/Instagram, Evnik Simulator) pic.twitter.com/LMmr2CgcxN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 13, 2017
Reminds me of someone else who used to destroy doors ...
Podcasts and Video:
The Monday Morning Analyst:
The MMA Hour:
The CME podcast, wherein Chad and Ben mourn yet another tragic end for Penn.
The latest, greatest MMA podcast from Ireland:
Quick Hits
Stipe Miocic feels “crapped on” by his current UFC contract, partly because Alistair Overeem got paid more as a challenger than he was as a champion. A UFC champion dissatisfied with their pay? Sounds familiar.
Ever wonder what MMA is lacking compared to mainstream sports? Analysts are one area where our sport generally falls short.
Tired, old B.J. Penn looked his age against a Yair Rodriguez on the rise. Read these melancholy words about it.
This guide about starting Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a teenage girl is very helpful and enlightening if you know any females who are looking to take BJJ for self defense or exercise.
Random Land
His response is my own.
This dude's name is Indestructible Rainbow Body, l shit you not. ? pic.twitter.com/oYY3K3tczT
— Justin Golightly (@SecretMovesMMA) January 17, 2017
The older I get, the more I relate to Calvin and Hobbes:
If only it was that easy… pic.twitter.com/qOyWQ9EXyI
— Calvin and Hobbes (@Calvinn_Hobbes) January 17, 2017
Stay woke, Maniacs!