Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Let’s start the night off by taking look back over the three biggest stories of Thursday, April 24, 2025.

  1. Four fighters chopped in latest roster purge: Contenders Series fighters getting chopped even with a .500 record is growing more common, the promotion doesn’t have much interest in extending beyond that miserable first contract unless the fighter is especially standout.
  2. Dricus Du Plessis shuts down injury rumors: Praise be! Hopefully he faces Khamzat towards the end of the summer?
  3. Cain Velasquez transferred to different state prison: Here’s hoping for parole sooner than later.

Insomnia

I have a strong suspicion that Eddie Hearn announcing Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul is more of a troll than a leak.

Mike Perry sparring footage is a pillar of this column.

Yoel Romero reflects on his bout versus Tim Kennedy, perhaps the most controversial moment of his career.

Carlos Prates has become a fan favorite fighter in a very short time. Knocking people out easily and ripping cigs would appear to be a winning combo!

Conor McGregor still has his weight transfer mechanics.

This is payback to every coach that’s ever yelled about keeping shadowboxing realistic.

New fighter nickname just dropped.

Movsar Evloev’s grip strength is clearly no joke, an underrated asset in MMA.

Ludovit Klein called for this match up on social media and actually got it! I doubt UFC matchmakers were too upset about sending Mateusz Gamrot on a side quest down the rankings.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Manny Gamburyan feels like a forgotten fighter. He was handling Nate Diaz back in the day before his shoulder dislocated!

Prates’ highlight reel is outstanding.

A good display of using kicks to push an opponent towards the feint, then threatening kicks to set up punches.

Random Land

Fight back against the robots. Resist.

Midnight Music: Experimental, 2015

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.