Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking look back over the three biggest stories of Monday, April 21, 2025.
- Khamzat agrees to fight Caio Borralho for an interim belt: Khazmat Chimaev vs. Imavov or Borralho for interim gold is the best way to salvage the Dricus Du Plessis injury situation and create a big fight for International Fight Week.
- Dricus Du Plessis returns fire at Khamzat: “Borz” may be an incredible talent, but the idea of him talking trash on anyone for pulling out of a contest (particularly one that isn’t even signed yet) is hilarious.
- Jack Della Maddalena wants to avenge Volk by smashing Islam: I love the narrative, this is how you line big fights down the road (even if beating Belal Muhammad is easier said than done).
Insomnia
You won’t BELIEVE Dana White’s latest fight announcement.
Michael Bisping never could see that left high kick coming …
Anthony Smith has seen a lot of ups-and-downs throughout his career, but he’s built up a better resume than most would have predicted. Credit to “Lionheart!”
“I don’t mean this to sound cocky or arrogant, but I’ve never, until now, felt like I’ve done something worth celebrating. I’ve never felt like I should be celebrated.
I feel like now I’ve fucking put in a career that I should be proud of and I should deserve to be able to… pic.twitter.com/PsawRJvWWH
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 21, 2025
This came across my feed today for the first time, and like … it can’t be real, right? There’s no way? Every wrestling practice I’ve ever done includes cartwheeling as a warm up. This can’t be real. But I can’t find evidence either way …
Judge for yourself:
Who amongst us hasn’t eaten hot dogs to the point of near death?
I don’t watch enough professional wrestling to comment on the difference, but who knew “Chipper” Matt Riddle to be so eloquent?
Back in 2018 I got this quote from Matt Riddle on the difference between pro wrestling fans and MMA fans and it feels like it’s only gotten more true since then. pic.twitter.com/a38lNyaZvg
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) April 20, 2025
Diego Lopes went full wolverine in his UFC 314 recovery. Guy’s chin might actually be adamantium …
How long until we actually get Teofimo Lopez vs. Devin Haney though?
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Matt Brown’s rise from journeyman to contender was one of the most fun spells in MMA history.
You have to control two hands on one from standing back mount … or else!
A perfect front kick straight to the chin!
Random Land
Wild wintery weather!
Midnight Music: Indie rock, 2010
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
