Return of Shavkat? Venum quietly posts (then quickly deletes) new custom ‘Nomad’ fight shorts

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Let’s start the night off by taking look back over the three biggest stories of Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

1. UFC 319 fight card, PPV start time, date and location | Du Plessis vs. Chimaev: Obviously, the main event is very exciting, but does the rest of the UFC 319 fight care leave something to be desired for anyone else? Lots of fun match ups that don’t feel particularly PPV worthy.
2. UFC quietly releases legendary Hall of Famer Jose Aldo, as well as historic TUF winner: Brad Katona is in a tough spot of being too good for the regionals but not quite good enough to consistently find success in arguably the sport’s deepest division. Maybe head to PFL?
3. Video: UFC’s Conor McGregor floors unsuspecting partygoer with devastating two-punch combo in Ibiza club: The fact that this isn’t the top post of the day by a huge amount really goes to show how fight fans and the online community as a whole are over McGregor’s antics.

Insomnia

Venum put up these shorts and took them down suddenly, potentially signaling a return date for Shavkat Rakhmonov? If Shavkat does have a return date booked, UFC Baku would be a good place to announce it. I want to believe!

All the best to Trevor Peek in recovery, knee injuries suck!

Paulie Malignaggi returning to BKFC six years later at 44 years of age seems like a terrible idea.

Marshall is better than his UFC record (2-3) indicates, and Bashi is still a top prospect. Good match up!

Ilia Topuria continues to be good at most things.

Mauricio Ruffy has an incredibly aesthetic striking style.

Tony Ferguson keeping it weird in the training room.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Ignacio Bahamondes absolutely taking apart a talented prospect in Manuel Torres still stands as his best win in my book.

Some very cool uppercut combos here:

Spin kicks are such a powerful weapon.

Random Land

A smoking sculpture.

Midnight Music: Blues rock, 2010

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