Midnight Mania: Pimblett Vs. Chandler?!? 'See You At The Top!'
12/24/2024 12:00 AM
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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Rising Lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett will be back in the cage sooner than later.
It's been almost six months since Pimblett shocked Bobby Green with one of the best submissions of the year (watch here). Already riding a five-fight UFC win streak, Pimblett stunned Green and many watching with a slick transition from his back, locking in a triangle choke that put "King" to sleep. The win legitimized Pimblett in a major way, setting him up for a Top 10 foe next.
As for who that opponent will be? There's yet to be any announcement or signed contract, but Pimblett just dropped a major hint by utilizing a rather specific catchphrase.
"Nice end to the year," Pimblett began on his YouTube channel. "I'm in good shape, about 84/85 kilograms. People have been speculating about who I'm fighting, this and that. I'm coming for that belt, so I'm looking to fight higher ranked fighters, and I'm sure you'll see a fight announcement soon enough. I've said yeah. The opponent's said yeah. Just need to get stuff signed ... I'll see you at the top!"
Former title challenger Michael Chandler has signed off every social media post and plenty of live interviews with "See you at the top" to the point that it's a known meme. Again, nothing is confirmed yet, but if I were a betting man ... I would confidently wager Pimblett vs. Chandler is planned for the UFC London main event on March 22, 2025.
Stand by for confirmation (or refutation) in the likely near future.
Insomnia
One of many slick moments from Oleksandr Usyk over the weekend!
Oleksandr Usyk. pic.twitter.com/qJLty1lAhu
— b0xingfan (@b0xingfan) December 22, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili claims UFC PI staff protected Umar Nurmagomedov from him (and us from a more interesting video):
It's all good - this guy will get what is coming to him on January 18th. #ufc311pic.twitter.com/hC8YN6vkX9
— Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) December 23, 2024
Combat sports only make it into mainstream media for the messiest of reasons ...
Law and crimes leaks Devin Haney wife "Leena Sayed" crying on the jail phone to Young Thug saying "I ONLY WANT U". Naaa this is nasty work. pic.twitter.com/FtNlEvtSQk
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) December 23, 2024
Speaking of drama, things are getting uglier between Patricio Pitbull and PFL.
My management team had a call with @PeteMurrayPFL tonight and despite making clear my desire to leave and some of my reasons, even noticing my contract is up in May, @pflmma won't let me go and intends to hold me there against my will. @arielhelwani@DonnDavisPFL (1/4)
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) December 24, 2024
You say you're fighters first but decided to keep me hostage @DonnDavisPFL@PeteMurrayPFL. You know I want to pursue something else but want me to fight in April and intend to enforce other clauses of my contract after it's up. How is that the best for me? @arielhelwani (2/4)
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) December 24, 2024
It's really absurd and disappointing that I have to come on X to voice all this. Do the right thing and release me @PeteMurrayPFL@DonnDavisPFL. I was a @BellatorMMA fighter and it no longer exists. The promotion is gone and so should I. @arielhelwani (3/4)
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) December 24, 2024
I haven't fought since March. They want me to fight in April. Over a year of my life and career that I'll never get back. Why force me to stay @DonnDavisPFL@PeteMurrayPFL? Focus on those that want to fight for @PFLMMA and let me move on. @arielhelwani (4/4)
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) December 24, 2024
Typical Jiri Prochazka training video.
It doesnt end in the gym ⚡️ ⚡️
— Jiri BJP Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) December 22, 2024
//\\
WIN
NOW
HERE pic.twitter.com/tG8vW649QF
Gilbert Burns is a bit pessimistic about Colby Covington's future in MMA.
Colby next job if he takes the fight pic.twitter.com/LdY6Vj7CMl
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) December 22, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Early pro careers don't mean all that much in the big picture, but Aleksandre Topuria is debuting against a really legit prospect ...
Aleksandre Topuria getting TKO'd by an 0-0 fighter. Haddon by whatever he wants. #UFC312pic.twitter.com/MGM2eiYbLH
— FightPlug MMA (@fightplugau) December 22, 2024
It's always really cool when a fighter kicks out their opponent's ankle as they step into a punch, but there's a reason it's rare.
Lights out KO from Glory last night #GLORY97pic.twitter.com/9pLwDJybpT
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) December 21, 2024
Incredibly fluid kickboxing from a young talent:
Kai Katayama, barely 15-years-old and the kid is already him. https://t.co/RVcPtdqRUjpic.twitter.com/3CPhDsnGXF
— Benjamin (@AJKFenjoyer) June 30, 2024
Random Land
Vinyl records are basically magic.
Midnight Music: Country, 1970
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
